Teaching Assistant (TA) pay can be confusing because it varies by local authority/academy trust, grade, hours and “term-time only” contracts. This guide explains how TA pay is usually worked out, what “term-time only” means in practice, and how to estimate your annual and monthly pay without guessing.

Legal minimum (from 1 April 2025): the UK National Living Wage (age 21+) is £12.21/hour. Always check current rates on GOV.UK before publishing or comparing salaries. Some employers also opt into the Real Living Wage (voluntary) — £12.60 UK / £13.85 London for 2024–25. GOV.UK: NLW £12.21, Gov announcement, Living Wage Foundation.

How TA pay is usually calculated

1. Hourly rate × weekly hours = weekly pay (e.g., 30 hrs/week).
2. Weekly pay × “paid weeks” (not just term weeks) = annual gross.
3. Annual gross ÷ 12 = typical monthly pay (most schools spread pay equally over 12 months).

What are “paid weeks”? You might work ~38–39 term weeks, but you’re paid for term weeks plus holiday entitlement (and sometimes training days). Many councils/trusts use a paid-weeks figure somewhere around 43–46 weeks for TAs. The exact number is set by the employer.

Worked examples (illustrative only)

These examples show how hours, rate and paid weeks interact. They’re not a promise of pay, just the maths.

Example A — changing paid weeks

• 30 hrs/week × £12.50/hr = £375/week
• Paid weeks 44 → annual £16,500 (≈ £1,375/month)
• Paid weeks 45 → annual £16,875 (≈ £1,406/month)
• Paid weeks 46 → annual £17,250 (≈ £1,438/month)

Example B — common hour/rate combinations (paid weeks assumed 45)

Assumes 45 paid weeks. Check current legal minimums: NLW £12.21 (age 21+) from 1 April 2025. Verify on GOV.UK.

What affects TA salary?

• Contracted hours (e.g., 25, 30 or 32.5 per week).
• Grade/scale (often NJC spinal points for councils; academies/trusts may use their own bands).
• Responsibilities (1:1 support, interventions, cover).
• HLTA status (higher responsibility typically on a higher grade).
• Location/weighting (some areas pay more, e.g., London weighting).
• Paid weeks policy (holiday accrual and training days included varies by employer).

Term-time only (TTO) — what it really means

Most TA contracts are term-time only, but pay is often spread across 12 months so each monthly payslip is similar. TTO staff usually don’t work during school holidays (unless the contract says otherwise), but accrue paid holiday that’s included in their paid-weeks figure.

Ways to increase your earnings

• Ask about additional hours (breakfast/after-school clubs, lunchtime supervision).
• Target SEN/intervention responsibilities that align with higher grades.
• Progress to HLTA once you have strong Level 3 competence: see From Teaching Assistant to HLTA.
• Consider supply agency work for higher day rates (less predictable hours).

Offer letter checklist

• Hourly rate and grade/scale point.
• Contracted weekly hours and paid weeks figure.
• Whether pay is pro-rata and spread over 12 months.
• Any allowances (SEN, HLTA, safeguarding lead, etc.).
• Probation, progression/increment policy and training support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do two similar TA jobs advertise different salaries?

Employers set different grades/points, paid weeks and hours. Duties (SEN support, interventions, cover) and location/weighting also change the figure.

Are TAs paid in the holidays?

Most TAs are term-time only but paid holiday is included in their paid-weeks figure. Pay is usually evenly spread across 12 months.

Is HLTA pay higher?

Yes, HLTA roles typically sit on a higher grade due to added responsibility (leading learning segments, occasional class cover).

Will an accredited Level 3 qualification improve my pay?

It can support applications for higher-graded roles and progression pathways (including HLTA), especially with strong in-school evidence.

How can I estimate my salary before applying?

Ask for the hourly rate, weekly hours and paid-weeks. Multiply: hourly × hours × paid-weeks to get a rough annual, then divide by 12.