Will TAs Get a Pay Rise in 2026? The Facts and Forecast

Will TAs get a pay rise in 2026 as they did in April 2025? This question matters to many teaching assistants who work in state schools across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, most TAs follow the local government Green Book NJC pay spine. In Scotland, local government or SJC agreements decide TA pay.

So, what do TAs earn today? Right now, Most TAs earn between £18,000 and £24,000 a year for term-time work. Glassdoor shows a median salary of about £19,935. CV-Library lists the average pay in 2025 at around £21,000. Level 1 TAs usually earn between £17,842 and £20,258. HLTAs earn more. Their pay often ranges from £22,500 to £29,000.

Now, let’s look at recent pay changes. From April 2025, NJC staff received a 3.2% pay rise. Still, unions say TA pay has dropped by more than 26% since 2010, when inflation is included. Looking ahead, inflation may reach about 2.5% in 2026. Scotland already has some pay deals in place. England, Wales, and Northern Ireland still wait for a final decision.

Let’s explore how pay decisions work and what TAs can expect next.

Will TAs Get a Pay Rise in 2026?

Thousands of teaching assistants in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland hope to get a pay rise in 2026. Right now, they are waiting to see what will happen. Now, let’s see how pay changes will happen in different parts of the UK.

England, Wales, and Northern Ireland

Most TAs in these areas follow the NJC Local Government “Green Book” pay scales. The 2025–26 pay rise is already set. From 1 April 2025, all NJC pay points went up by 3.2%.

As 2026 approaches, the three main NJC unions:

1. UNISON 
2. GMB and 
3. Unite 

sent in a pay claim in December 2025. They are asking for at least £3,000 or 10% on every pay point, whichever is higher. On top of that, they want a minimum hourly rate of £15.

As of December 2025, employers have not agreed to the pay claim. Talks are still happening, and the final decision will come after meetings in December and January.

Scotland

In Scotland, school support staff follow separate local government or SJC agreements. UNISON Scotland says councils have offered a better deal. Many staff could get a 4% rise in 2025-26 and a 3.5% rise in 2026-27 if councils accept the deal.

What This Pay Rise Means

In a few words, a pay rise in 2026 is likely. NJC staff usually get an annual increase. However, the exact amount will depend on negotiations, council decisions, and union agreements.

How Are Teaching Assistant Pay Rises Decided?

Most teaching assistants in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland follow the “Green Book,” also called the Single Status Agreement. This sets the national pay rates for local government staff. The National Joint Council (NJC) decides pay through talks between employer representatives, including the Local Government Association (LGA). At the same time, the main unions—UNISON, GMB, and Unite—take part in asking for better pay. Each year, unions send a pay claim, like the £3,000 or 10% request for 2026–27. Then, employers check what they can afford and decide if they want to approve or refuse it.

After that, local councils and schools match the NJC pay points to each TA role. They give the pay rise to the right grade. In Scotland, school support staff follow separate rules under the Scottish Joint Council (SJC). Councils there apply the agreed national pay scales each year. It is important to know that TA pay is not set by the School Teachers’ Review Body. All decisions go through the local government, so pay depends on negotiations and local choices.

What Pay Rises Have TAs Had in Recent Years?

Teaching assistants have received several pay rises in the last few years, but many still earn less in real terms than before. In 2022–23, every NJC pay point went up by £1,925. This gave the lowest-paid staff over 10% more and about 3.9% more for others. Then, in 2023–24, another £1,925 was added to NJC pay points 2–43, with 3.88% on points above the main spine. In 2024–25, pay went up by £1,290 on Green Book points 2–43, and 2.5% on higher points.

In 2025–26, teaching assistants got a pay rise. However, the increase was small compared with what they lost over the years. As a result, starting salaries for school support staff went up from about £23,656 to £24,413. Even with these rises, unions say local government pay is still more than 26% lower than in 2010 when inflation is counted. In simple words, TAs have received cash increases, but their pay often falls behind the cost of living. This situation creates a long-term squeeze for many staff across the UK.

Does the Government Set TA Pay in the UK?

Teaching assistants do not have a national pay scale like teachers. The government does not set their pay directly. Instead, local councils and schools decide salaries through talks and agreements.

The National Joint Council (NJC) leads these talks between unions and employer representatives. After they agree, councils and schools use the pay scales for their staff. Ministers do not choose the exact salaries. At the same time, government funding affects how much councils can pay.

The UK Government decides school budgets and public-sector pay rules. It has also suggested bringing back the School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB) to make pay more similar across schools. Even with that, the final pay for TAs is decided locally. Basically, the government helps guide pay, but it does not set the exact salary each TA gets.

How Do Local Councils and Schools Affect Pay?

NJC is common but not everywhere

1. Most schools follow the NJC pay spine for TAs.
2. Some academies and trusts use their own pay scales, so pay can differ.

Councils make local decisions

1. They decide which NJC pay points match TA roles.
2. Some add extra allowances, like London weighting.
3. Certain councils offer multi-year deals, for example, 4% in 2025–26 and 3.5% in 2026–27.

Schools can change pay too

1. Schools may pay more than the minimum to hire good staff.
2. Extra paid hours for clubs, interventions, or exam support can boost pay.
3. Some schools keep TAs at lower grades, with smaller pay rises.

So, even with a national pay rise, a TA’s actual pay depends on their council, trust, and school.

Will Inflation and Cost of Living Affect TA Pay?

Inflation will play a big role in 2026 pay talks for teaching assistants. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) indicates inflation around 2.5% next year, down from 3.5% in 2025. Treasury economists expect it to be about 2.2% by the end of 2026, showing a slow return toward the 2% target.

At the same time, unions point out that real pay for local government staff has dropped by over 26% since 2010. They also say the 3.2% pay rise in 2025 has already been outpaced by inflation, currently around 3.6%. Because of this, unions argue that TAs need a bigger pay rise in 2026. They want increases above inflation so staff can afford everyday costs and maintain their standard of living.

Are Unions Pushing for a TA Pay Rise in 2026?

UNISON, GMB, and Unite sent a request in December 2025 asking for higher pay for teaching assistants in 2026. They want to make teaching assistant pay fairer and keep up with the cost of living.

2026 TA Pay Claim Highlights

1. A pay rise of at least £3,000 or 10% on every NJC pay point, whichever is higher.
2. A minimum hourly rate of £15.
3. Shorter working week by two hours with the same pay.
4. One extra day of annual leave.
5. At least one paid day off during term time.
6. Remove Level 1 TA roles and move staff up to Level 2.

Reasons Behind TA Pay Demands

Unions say that teaching assistants have lost a lot of pay over the years. Since 2010, local government pay has gone down by more than 26% when we count inflation.

Because of this, schools find it hard to hire and keep good TAs. Many leave to take jobs that pay more. A big pay rise in 2026 could help schools keep experienced TAs. It could also make the job more attractive for people who want to become teaching assistants.

Current Status of 2026 TA Pay Rise

The Local Government Association (LGA) and employers are still looking at the pay claim. They have not made a final decision for 2026–27 yet.

This means teaching assistants have to wait a little longer to know how much their pay will increase. Talks are still happening, and the final decision will come after unions and employers agree.

Could Different TA Levels Get Different Pay Rises?

Even though a national pay rise applies to all teaching assistants, it does not affect everyone the same way. For example, in past years, flat cash increases like £1,925 in 2022 and 2023 gave lower-paid TAs a bigger percentage increase. Higher-paid TAs got smaller increases. In 2025, a 3.2% rise applied to everyone. The percentage was the same, but higher grades got more money.

The 2026–27 union claim plans to remove Level 1 TA roles and move those staff to Level 2. If this happens, the lowest-paid TAs would get a bigger increase. This could make a real difference to their pay.

On top of that, local councils and schools can also decide how to reward staff. They can give extra responsibilities or higher grades. This means Level 3 TAs, HLTAs, or SEN specialists could earn more from the same national rise. The main point is that the same national pay rise can feel very different depending on your grade and your local school or council.

What Can Teaching Assistants Do to Increase Pay?

You do not have to wait for national pay deals to earn more. There are easy ways you can take right now to increase your pay.

Move up TA levels or grades

Level 1 TAs usually earn between £17,842 and £20,258. HLTAs can earn £22,500–£29,000. Moving to Level 2 or 3, or becoming an HLTA, gives more responsibility and more money. Even a small promotion can make a big difference to your pay.

Gain qualifications and training

Taking Level 2 or 3 TA courses, SEN specialism, safeguarding, behaviour, or intervention training can help you get better-paid roles. You could move into SEN TA jobs, HLTA positions, or become a cover supervisor. Each new skill can lead to higher pay.

Take on more hours or extra work

Many TA jobs are part-time or only during school terms. You can earn more by working longer hours, doing a full-year contract, or helping with extra tasks. These can include breakfast clubs, after-school clubs, exam support or short-term cover. Every extra hour you work adds up and increases your pay.

Think about location and employer

Where you work really makes a difference. For example, London pays more because of extra allowances. Some schools and councils pay better than others. So, picking the best option can improve your income.

Join a union and use your voice

Being part of a union gives you power. Taking part in campaigns and consultations helps TAs push for fair pay. Together, your voice is stronger.

The fact is, you may not control national pay deals but you can take steps to improve your own pay. For example, moving up your grade or learning new skills can help you earn more. You can also work extra hours, pick a better location or join a union to make your job more rewarding.

Final Thoughts on TA Pay Rises in 2026

So, will TAs get a pay rise in 2026? Right now, most of the UK does not have a clear answer. In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the strong claim is for £3,000 or 10% and at least £15 per hour. At the same time, Scotland and some councils have already set rises. For example, many local government staff will get a 3.5% increase in 2026-27.

The final pay will depend on NJC and SJC talks, government funding, school budgets and inflation. Unions can also influence the decision. TAs cannot control national pay but they can improve their own earnings. Joining a union, gaining new qualifications, moving up pay levels, or working in areas with better pay can help. These steps give TAs more control over their pay and career.

FAQs

Are teaching assistants getting a pay rise in 2026?

1. Yes, there’s a planned increase but the exact figures depend on government announcements.

What is the pay raise for 2026?

1. Exact numbers aren’t final yet but TAs can expect a noticeable boost.

Are TAs getting back pay in 2025?

1. Some back pay may apply if previous pay agreements were updated late.

Will the minimum wage go up in 2026?

1. Yes, the UK government usually reviews it yearly. So, a rise is expected.

What is the minimum wage in the UK going up to in 2025?

1. It’s set to around £12 per hour for adults over 23, depending on policy updates.

How much is 40 hours a week minimum wage?

1. At £12/hour, 40 hours a week equals roughly £480 before tax.

Is £25k a good salary in the UK?

1. It’s decent for early careers or smaller towns, but London or big cities might feel tight.