Public Sector & Education · UK Salary 2026
Teacher Salary UK — 2026 ranges
Teacher pay in the UK is one of the few jobs where the number isn't really a negotiation — it's set by the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD), which I've watched candidates wave at headteachers like a contract. State schools follow the main pay scale (M1-M6), then upper pay scale (UPS1-UPS3), with separate London weighting bands (inner, outer, fringe). Academies and MATs can pay off-scale and often do for shortage subjects. In 12 years moving teachers between schools, the biggest pay jumps I've seen come from three things: shifting to a MAT with its own pay policy, picking up a TLR (Teaching and Learning Responsibility) allowance, or moving into senior leadership. Maths and physics teachers can name their price right now — the shortage is that bad.
Headline figures · UK 2026
£40,000
average
Salary by experience level
| Level | Experience | Range (UK) |
|---|---|---|
| NQT / ECT (M1) | 0-1 years | £24,890 – £31,650 |
| Main Pay Scale (M2-M6) | 1-5 years | £27,000 – £37,000 |
| Upper Pay Scale (UPS1-UPS3) | 6-10 years | £37,000 – £44,000 |
| Head of Department / TLR | 8-15 years | £45,000 – £60,000 |
| Deputy / Headteacher | 12+ years | £60,000 – £130,000 |
Ranges are typical UK base salary excluding bonus, equity, and London weighting. London uplift is roughly +12% on top.
Skills that pay more
Top UK employers paying above average
Recruiter negotiation tip
Here's what most teachers don't realise: STPCD sets the floor, not the ceiling. Maintained schools must follow it, but academies and MATs are free to pay above scale — and many do, especially for shortage subjects (maths, physics, computing, MFL). When you move schools, you can ask for pay portability — your existing pay point should be honoured, not reset. Always negotiate the TLR alongside the base, and if you're moving to a MAT, ask to see their published pay policy before accepting. The other lever nobody uses: ask for an upper pay scale assessment in writing if you're stuck on M6 — too many teachers stall there for years because they didn't formally apply.
Teacher salary by UK city
Same role, different city, different number. London carries a +12% premium; Manchester, Edinburgh and Bristol pay close to the UK average; Belfast typically pays below.
Teacher salary by seniority
Year-of-experience bands with progression timelines and what each level should be earning in 2026.
Common questions
- How much does a teacher earn in the UK?
- A UK teacher earns £24,890 (NQT outside London) to £44,000 on the upper pay scale, with an average around £40,000. Inner London NQTs start at £31,650 due to London weighting. Heads of department earn £45-60k, and headteachers can earn £60-130k+ depending on school size.
- Do teachers get more in London?
- Yes — STPCD includes four pay bands: inner London, outer London, London fringe, and rest of England/Wales. Inner London NQTs earn £31,650 versus £24,890 elsewhere, a difference of around £6,760. The premium narrows slightly at senior levels but remains worthwhile.
- Are academy teachers paid more than state school teachers?
- Often yes. Academies and MATs aren't bound by STPCD and can pay off-scale, particularly for shortage subjects or leadership roles. Trusts like Ark, Harris and Star Academies routinely pay 5-15% above main scale to attract strong candidates.
- How do teachers get pay rises?
- Three main routes: annual STPCD increments (automatic on the main scale, performance-based on UPS), TLR allowances for taking on responsibility (£3-15k extra), and moving into leadership posts. Changing schools — especially to a MAT — often delivers the biggest jump.
- What's the highest-paying teaching subject in the UK?
- Maths, physics, computing and MFL (modern foreign languages) are the shortage subjects where schools will pay over scale. I've placed physics teachers on £45k+ at MATs that wouldn't pay an English teacher above £37k. The shortage premium is real and growing.