What is Teaching Assistant Salary in the UK?

If you’re thinking about working in education, especially as a teaching assistant, you likely have questions about the pay for this job or the factors that influence it. The pay of a teaching assistant varies based on many different things. So, getting clear facts can help you decide if this path is right for you. This blog will explain what is teaching assistant salary, covering what teaching assistants do, how their pay works, the things that change it, and how you can grow in your job over time.

What Does a Teaching Assistant Do?

Teaching assistants, known as TAs, are helpers who work with teachers in school. They have many different tasks that are more than just helping during lessons. Their jobs include making sure the classroom runs well, giving one-on-one help to students, and helping keep a good learning space. Their duties include:

• Help single students: Some students need extra help, whether with reading, writing, or staying focused. So, teaching assistants give extra time to help them keep up with the rest of the class.
• Help run the classroom: Teaching assistants often get things ready or set up activities. Also, they help make the learning space smoother and work better.
• Work with small groups: Teaching assistants sometimes take a small group outside the main classroom to give extra help. This way, students who find it hard in bigger groups can get more focused support.
• Support students with special needs: Some children need more one-on-one care, and teaching assistants often give this extra help. So, they play a big part in helping all students feel included in lessons.
• Help with behaviour: Teaching assistants help keep the classroom calm and positive during lessons. This makes it easier for teachers to focus on teaching without stopping often.

What is Teaching Assistant Salary ?

In the UK, what is teaching assistant salary varies, as it is not a set amount. It can go up or down based on several things like the job level, where the school is, the type of work deal, and more. So, we’ve listed the pay for a teaching assistant based on these things below:

1. Different Levels of Teaching Assistant Roles

Teaching assistant pay changes depending on the level at which you work. So, the higher your level, the more you can expect to earn.

• Level 1 Teaching Assistant: At this first step, pay usually starts around £17,842. This amount generally lines up with the local government pay plan, which most schools follow. At this level, you’ll likely help teachers with general classroom tasks, and your pay shows the basic duties of the role.
• Level 2 Teaching Assistant: With more tasks and experience, Level 2 TAs can earn between £18,000 and £20,000 a year. So, moving up a level brings a clear rise in pay. This higher pay shows the extra tasks and skills needed at this level.
• Level 3 Teaching Assistant (SEN focus): Teaching assistants with Level 3 papers, especially those working with students who have special learning needs (SEN), usually earn more. As a result, a Level 3 TA in a SEN job can earn up to £25,000 each year.
• Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA): Those who reach HLTA rank can expect pay from £22,000 to £29,000. Also, HLTAs take on more teaching jobs, sometimes covering lessons, which makes the higher pay fair.

However, keep in mind what is teaching assistant salary can change based on working only during school terms and different work hours.

2. Regional Differences in Pay

Pay for teaching assistants is different in different areas. It mostly depends on the cost of living and how many teaching assistants are needed. For example, smaller cities have lower pay compared to big cities, where pay tends to be higher. So, it is important for you to know about these area differences if you’re planning to become a teaching assistant.

• In London, teaching assistants can expect an average pay of around £23,872, partly due to the higher cost of living and the extra London pay given by many schools.
• In Leeds and Birmingham, the average pay for a teaching assistant is about £19,697, giving a good balance between a fair cost of living and good pay.
• In Manchester, teaching assistants usually earn around £17,610, which, while lower, fits the general cost of living in the area.
• In Cardiff, the average pay for a teaching assistant is higher at about £25,959, showing strong demand for school staff and slightly better pay than in some English cities.

3. Contract Types and Holiday Pay

Pay also depends on the type of work deal you have with the school. Most TAs work only during school terms, meaning they work during the school year (about 39 weeks). While some TAs work all year as a full-time worker.

The way pay is given out can sometimes be very confusing. For working only during school terms, even if you only work part of the year, your teaching assistant salary is usually spread out over the full 12 months. So, you still get paid in the holidays, but the amount each month will be less than if you worked all year round. For TAs who are on full-time deals, their pay includes holiday pay. So, they work more weeks but also get more holiday benefits and a higher total pay.

Hence, when looking at job ads, always check if the salary is adjusted for term-time work or if it is for a full working year. It can make a big difference to the money you take home.

How to Increase Your Teaching Assistant Salary

So, if you want to earn more as a teaching assistant, there are a few ways you can make it happen. Here’s a simple list of steps you can take:

• Get more training: Getting certificates like Level 3 Supporting Teaching and Learning can help you move up.
• Get experience: The more years you work, the more you can ask for a higher pay.
• Move to a different area: Working in London or bigger cities usually means better pay.
• Take on more jobs: Becoming a HLTA or a special helper can make a big change to your income.
• Work full-time: Some helpers only work part-time. So, working full-time can raise your yearly income.

Advancing Your Career and Gaining Qualifications

If you want to earn more and take on bigger jobs, getting more qualification and experience is the way forward. So, here are some other classes/certification you can think about taking:

• Level 5 Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) 
• Level 4 Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)
• Teaching Assistant Course

If you get these certificates and skills, you can make yourself stand out, as bosses often like you to have these extra papers. Also, you can apply for higher jobs with higher pay.

Is Being a Teaching Assistant Worth It?

If you are looking for a job that makes a big difference to people’s lives, offers a good balance between work and home, and gives you lots of holiday time, then it is a strong choice. However, if your primary goal is to earn as much money as possible quickly, you might find the teaching assistant salary less appealing.

Also, many people find that once they are working in a school, they fall in love with the job, even with the lower pay. So, a strong wish to help children learn can often be more important than needing a very high pay.

Conclusion

While the teaching assistant salary may not always be the highest, the job gives a lot of personal happiness, steady job growth, and chances to build strong skills over time. Also, by getting extra certifications and experience, you can move into better-paying jobs and take on more tasks.

So, if you like a job where you can make a real difference and are ready to put effort into your skills, working as a teaching assistant could be the right choice for you. With the right way of thinking and effort, you can build a meaningful and lasting job in education.

Thinking about becoming a teaching assistant? Want to know about the pay? Our Teaching Assistant Course has all the details you need to understand what is teaching assistant salary, what affects it, and how you can boost your earnings.