Early education and childcare assistants salary in South East
Full-time average annual pay in South East
£19,191
Based on ~13,000 employees · 2025 · moderate suppression
Median
£19,191
Mean
£18,617
| Statistic | Annual pay (gross) |
|---|---|
| Median | £19,191 |
| Mean | £18,617 |
Region-level range withheld by ONS — UK-wide, the middle half of early education and childcare assistants earn £13,133–£25,628. See full methodology →
Skilled Worker visa minimum
£33,400
Understanding Early education and childcare assistants pay in South East
The typical early education and childcare assistants in South East earns a median salary of £19,191 in 2025/26, based on around 13,000 employees — broadly in line with the UK-wide median of £19,165. These figures come from the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), so they reflect actual reported pay rather than self-reported estimates or job-advert ranges.
Across the UK, South East ranks 6th of 11 regions for early education and childcare assistants pay. Regional medians run from £13,489 in East of England up to £23,802 in Scotland, a spread of £10,313 (76%).
The mean (average) salary is £18,617, close to the median — the two measures broadly agree for early education and childcare assistants in South East, and the median remains the clearest guide to typical pay.
To see what £19,191 means after income tax and National Insurance, use the take-home pay calculator below — it also factors in student loan repayments.
Take-home pay estimate
Tax year 2025/26| Monthly | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary | £1,599 | £19,191 |
| Income tax | £110 | £1,324 |
| National Insurance | £44 | £530 |
| Take-home pay | £1,445 | £17,337 |
Estimate only · 2025/26 HMRC rates · Standard tax code · No pension contribution · Not financial or tax advice
How Early education and childcare assistants pay varies by region
Scotland is the highest-paying region for early education and childcare assistants at £23,802 — 24% above the UK median. East of England is lowest at £13,489.
UK median £19,165
| Region | Median payUK median £19,165 | Median | Mean | vs UK median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotland | £23,802 | £23,802 | £22,197 | +24% |
| London | £23,104 | £23,104 | £21,137 | +21% |
| North West | £21,714 | £21,714 | £20,960 | +13% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £20,044 | £20,044 | £19,650 | +5% |
| West Midlands | £19,523 | £19,523 | £20,099 | +2% |
| South East (current region) | £19,191 | £19,191 | £18,617 | ±0% |
| North East | £18,185 | £18,185 | £18,784 | -5% |
| East Midlands | £15,496 | £15,496 | £14,736 | -19% |
| Wales | £15,220 | £15,220 | £17,055 | -21% |
| South West | £14,128 | £14,128 | £14,137 | -26% |
| East of England | £13,489 | £13,489 | £13,524 | -30% |
| Region | Median | vs UK |
|---|---|---|
| Scotland £23,802 | £23,802Mean £22,197 | +24% |
| London £23,104 | £23,104Mean £21,137 | +21% |
| North West £21,714 | £21,714Mean £20,960 | +13% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber £20,044 | £20,044Mean £19,650 | +5% |
| West Midlands £19,523 | £19,523Mean £20,099 | +2% |
| South East (current region) £19,191 | £19,191Mean £18,617 | ±0% |
| North East £18,185 | £18,185Mean £18,784 | -5% |
| East Midlands £15,496 | £15,496Mean £14,736 | -19% |
| Wales £15,220 | £15,220Mean £17,055 | -21% |
| South West £14,128 | £14,128Mean £14,137 | -26% |
| East of England £13,489 | £13,489Mean £13,524 | -30% |
Sorted highest median to lowest. The vertical line marks the UK median (£19,165); ‘Vs UK median’ compares each region’s median to it. Suppressed values mean ONS withheld this figure because the sample was too small to publish.
How early education and childcare assistants pay in South East has changed over time
Median annual pay for early education and childcare assistants in South East by year, shown against the UK-wide median (Source: ONS ASHE). The shaded band is the UK-wide 25th–75th percentile range — ONS does not publish percentile ranges at region level.
South East median
UK median
▪ UK-wide 25th–75th percentile range
Pre-2021 figures mapped from SOC 2010 via ONS concordance table
How the figures are sourced
Data sources: Official UK earnings data (2025 provisional)(opens in new tab)
Related roles in Teaching and Childcare Support Occupations
Other published roles in this occupation group. View category overview →