What Is the TA Pay Scale in the UK? A Simple Guide

What is the TA pay scale in the UK? If you’ve ever asked that, you’re not alone. Whether you’re thinking about becoming a teaching assistant, already working as one, or just nosey (hey, no judgment), this guide will help.

We’re going to walk through how the pay works, what you can expect to earn, and what things affect it. No long words. No stuffy charts. Just plain, clear talk about teaching assistant salary, how it changes, and how you can earn more.

What Is a Pay Scale?

Let’s make this super clear.

A pay scale is just a list. It shows how much money someone earns in a job. Think of it like levels in a video game. You start at Level 1 with the lowest pay. As you get more experience or training, you move up the list—and your money goes up, too.

In the UK, most teaching assistants get paid using something called the NJC pay scale. That stands for “National Joint Council.” Bit of a mouthful, but don’t worry. It just means councils across the country use the same pay list (give or take a few pounds).

But here’s the twist: your local council or school decides which part of the list they use. So, even though there’s one main scale, the actual number on your payslip can change depending on where you work.

How Much Do TAs Usually Get Paid?

Alright, time to talk numbers.

How much does a teaching assistant earn?

Here’s the short version: most TAs in England and Wales earn between £23,000 and £32,000 a year—if they work full-time. But most don’t. We’ll come back to that later.

If you’re new and just starting out (Level 1), you’ll probably land near the bottom of the scale. That’s around £23,000 to £24,000 full-time.

If you’ve been working a while or you’ve done more training (like a Level 3 or HLTA course), you could earn £27,000 or more. Some senior HLTAs go above £30,000, especially if they take on more responsibility.

Here’s a rough breakdown (for full-time roles):

• Level 1 TA: £23,656 – £24,294
• Level 2 TA: £24,294 – £26,421
• Level 3 TA: £26,421 – £29,269
• HLTA: £29,269 – £32,076+

Let’s say you’re on £25,000 a year full-time. That’s around £480 a week after tax and National Insurance. But again—full-time isn’t the usual deal for most TAs. So that brings us to…

Why Pay Can Be Different

So you’ve heard different numbers. That’s because pay can change depending on a few big things.

Where You Work

Live in London? Lucky you. You get a bonus on top of your pay called a “London weighting.”

• Outer London: Add around £2,000–£4,000
• Inner London: Add even more

Live outside of London? Your council might still pay more if it’s in a high-cost area, but most will stick to the basic scale.

Your Job Level

There’s no one-size-fits-all teaching assistant job. Some TAs help a few kids with reading. Others run the whole classroom when the teacher’s out.

• Level 1 is entry-level
• Level 2 is for more experienced support
• Level 3 is often for SEN or specialist work
• HLTA is a senior TA—often leading lessons

The higher the level, the more you earn. Sounds fair, right?

Full-Time vs. Part-Time

This one’s huge. Many TAs don’t work full-time. Instead, they work term-time only and often part-time hours too.

So even if your full-time salary says £25,000, your actual take-home might be closer to £18,000 once the hours and weeks are cut down.

Always check if the job advert says “FTE” (Full-Time Equivalent). That’s the full number—but your real pay depends on the hours you actually work.

What Does Term-Time Only Mean?

This one confuses a lot of people, so let’s clear it up.

Most TAs work term-time only. That means you work during school weeks (usually 38 out of 52 weeks) and get most of the school holidays off.

But here’s the thing: you only get paid for the time you work. Your pay is spread out over 12 months, but it’s based on those 38 working weeks.

So, if your full-time salary says £25,000, your actual annual pay is around £21,800, depending on how your school calculates it.

And if you work part-time and term-time only? Your pay goes down again.

That’s why so many people ask, how much do teaching assistants earn? It really depends on the hours and the contract.

Can TAs Get a Pay Rise?

Yes! You don’t have to stay stuck on the same number forever.

Here’s how you can bump up your pay:

Gain Experience

The longer you work, the more chance you have to move up the pay scale. Many schools have “progression points.” They bump your salary after one, two, or three years.

Get More Training

You can do a Level 2 or Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning. Or, if you’re ready for more, go for the HLTA qualification.

HLTAs often lead classes when teachers are out. They also earn more—sometimes over £32,000 if they’re full-time.

Ask Your School

Some schools (especially academies) can offer more money or extra hours. It’s worth asking if there’s any room to grow.

Move to Another Role

Some TAs go on to become cover supervisors, learning mentors, or even trainee teachers. Each of these roles pays more—but also comes with more responsibility.

So, can you earn more? Definitely. You just need to know what steps to take.

Final Notes

Let’s wrap it all up.

What is the TA pay scale in the UK? It’s a guide that shows how much TAs earn, depending on their job level, experience, and hours.

Pay usually starts at around £23,000 full-time. But most TAs work term-time and part-time, so real pay is often lower. The more training and experience you get, the more you can earn.

So, how much does a teaching assistant earn? The honest answer is—it depends. But once you know what affects your pay, you can make better choices.

Always ask to see the pay scale for your job. Check if the salary is full-time or term-time. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

And remember—teaching assistants do a massive job. Your pay should reflect that. So keep learning, speak up, and know your worth.

TL;DR

• Teaching assistant salary starts around £23k for full-time, but many earn less due to part-time hours.
• What is the TA pay scale in the UK? It’s a list of pay points used by schools and councils.
• How much do teaching assistants earn? It depends on your job level, where you work, and your contract.
• Want to earn more? Get training, build experience, and ask your school about progression.

The more you know, the better you can plan. And every step you take can lead to better pay. Train as a Teaching Assistant online with Wise Campus. The rest? We’ll teach you.