Teacher pay in England is set by the Department for Education through a national pay framework, though academies can choose to pay outside this framework. Here is a clear breakdown of what teachers actually earn at each stage of their career.
Teacher salary by pay scale (England 2025/26)
| Scale | Role | Salary range |
|---|---|---|
| Main Pay Range (MPR) | Qualified teacher (NQT to experienced) | £31,650 – £43,607 |
| Upper Pay Range (UPR) | Experienced teacher (threshold) | £45,646 – £49,084 |
| Leading Practitioner | Expert classroom teacher | £42,689 – £72,480 |
| Leadership Range L1–L18 | Assistant/deputy head | £47,185 – £90,379 |
| Headteacher Range | Headteacher | £47,185 – £138,673 |
Teacher salary in London
Teachers in London receive a London weighting supplement. There are three London pay zones with different rates.
| Zone | Main Pay Range |
|---|---|
| Inner London | £38,766 – £60,092 |
| Outer London | £34,514 – £51,179 |
| London Fringe | £32,407 – £44,756 |
Teacher salary in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Each nation sets its own teacher pay scales. Scottish teachers are paid on a different structure through the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT), with newly qualified teachers starting at around £33,000 and experienced teachers reaching around £48,000. Wales and Northern Ireland operate similarly to England but with some variation in the specific figures.
Does teacher pay keep up with inflation?
This has been one of the most contentious issues in UK education. Teacher starting salaries have increased significantly in recent years following industrial action, but real-terms pay — adjusting for inflation — has been broadly flat or declining for much of the past decade. The teacher recruitment and retention crisis reflects this directly, with shortages in secondary school science, maths, and computing subjects particularly acute.
Total package consideration: Teacher pay needs to be considered alongside the benefits. Teachers receive a defined benefit pension through the Teachers' Pension Scheme, 13 weeks of holiday per year, and relatively strong job security. These are worth thousands of pounds per year in total compensation terms.
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