How Much Do Teachers Earn in the UK? — 2026 Salary Guide
Complete guide to teacher salaries in the UK for 2026. Main Pay Scale, Upper Pay Scale, leadership pay, London weighting, TLR payments, and how to increase your teaching salary.
·4 min read
Teaching is one of the UK’s largest professions, with over 500,000 teachers in state schools. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of what teachers earn across different roles, scales, and regions.
Main Pay Scale (MPS) — England & Wales 2025/26
The Main Pay Scale applies to most classroom teachers, including early career teachers (ECTs).
MPS by Region
Point
Rest of England
Fringe
Outer London
Inner London
M1
£30,000
£31,350
£34,514
£36,413
M2
£31,737
£33,075
£36,147
£38,100
M3
£33,614
£34,959
£37,939
£39,950
M4
£35,561
£36,918
£39,826
£41,895
M5
£37,733
£39,103
£42,003
£44,111
M6
£41,333
£42,689
£45,483
£47,666
How MPS Progression Works
Factor
Details
Annual progression
Not automatic — based on performance appraisal
ECT (formerly NQT)
Start at M1, 2-year induction period
Time to M6
Typically 5-6 years with good performance
Threshold to UPS
Apply after M6 with evidence of sustained performance
Upper Pay Scale (UPS) — England & Wales 2025/26
Teachers who can demonstrate sustained high performance and wider contribution can apply to move to the Upper Pay Scale.
Point
Rest of England
Fringe
Outer London
Inner London
U1
£43,266
£44,579
£47,592
£49,320
U2
£44,870
£46,179
£49,218
£50,210
U3
£46,525
£47,839
£50,210
£51,179
UPS Requirements
Requirement
Details
Performance
Two consecutive successful appraisals at M6
Evidence
Demonstrate substantial and sustained contribution
Application
Must apply formally — not automatic
Decision
Headteacher makes final decision
Leadership Pay — England & Wales 2025/26
Leadership Pay Ranges
Role
Minimum
Maximum
Leading Practitioner
£47,417
£72,085
Assistant Headteacher
£52,301-varies
Set by school group
Deputy Headteacher
£55,338-varies
Set by school group
Headteacher (Group 1, smallest)
£53,380
£68,400
Headteacher (Group 4)
£63,815
£92,624
Headteacher (Group 8, largest)
£91,633
£140,051+
School Group Sizes
Group
Pupil Units
Group 1
Up to 1,000
Group 2
1,001-2,200
Group 3
2,201-3,500
Group 4
3,501-5,000
Group 5
5,001-7,500
Group 6
7,501-11,000
Group 7
11,001-17,000
Group 8
17,001+
TLR Payments (Teaching and Learning Responsibilities)
Additional payments for teachers taking on extra responsibilities.
TLR
Minimum
Maximum
TLR1
£9,272
£15,690
TLR2
£3,214
£7,847
TLR3 (fixed-term)
£639
£3,169
Typical TLR Roles
Role
Typical TLR
Head of Department
TLR1 or TLR2 (higher end)
Head of Year
TLR2
Subject Lead
TLR2
Key Stage Coordinator
TLR2
Special project lead
TLR3
SEN Allowance
Teachers working with pupils with special educational needs receive an additional allowance.
SEN Allowance
Amount
Minimum
£2,539
Maximum
£5,009
Scotland Teacher Salaries
Scotland has a separate pay structure negotiated through the SNCT.
Point
Salary
Probationer
£32,217
Point 1
£38,547
Point 2
£40,026
Point 3
£41,604
Point 4
£43,266
Point 5
£44,994
Point 6 (top of main scale)
£46,404
Principal Teacher (min)
£49,539
Principal Teacher (max)
£54,597
Depute Headteacher (min)
£54,879
Headteacher (min)
£58,044
Headteacher (max)
£98,808+
Independent (Private) School Salaries
Private schools set their own pay scales but often benchmark against state school rates.
Role
Typical Range
Newly qualified teacher
£28,000-£38,000
Experienced teacher
£35,000-£55,000
Head of Department
£45,000-£65,000
Senior leader
£60,000-£90,000
Headteacher (day school)
£80,000-£150,000
Headteacher (boarding, major)
£120,000-£250,000+
Top public schools (Eton, Harrow etc.) pay significantly above state scales
Additional Independent School Benefits
Benefit
Details
Fee remission
Typically 50-100% off school fees for staff children
Accommodation
Free or subsidised at boarding schools
Holiday
Longer holidays than state schools
Class sizes
Smaller (typically 15-20 vs 30+)
Pension
Usually TPS or private scheme
Further Education and University Lecturers
Role
Salary Range
FE Lecturer (new)
£25,000-£30,000
FE Lecturer (experienced)
£30,000-£40,000
FE Senior Lecturer
£38,000-£45,000
University Lecturer
£42,000-£55,000
Senior Lecturer (university)
£55,000-£65,000
Reader/Associate Professor
£60,000-£75,000
Professor
£75,000-£120,000+
Additional Earning Opportunities
Opportunity
Typical Earnings
Exam marking/examining
£1,000-£5,000+ per year
Private tutoring
£25-£60/hour
Online tutoring
£20-£45/hour
Textbook writing
£2,000-£20,000+ per book
Supply teaching (daily)
£130-£200/day (£200-£350 in London)
Holiday revision courses
£200-£500/day
Teacher training mentor
£1,000-£2,000/year
Teachers’ Pension Scheme
Feature
Details
Type
Defined benefit (guaranteed pension)
Employer contribution
28.68% of salary
Employee contribution
7.4%-11.7% (based on salary)
Accrual rate
1/57th of salary per year
Retirement age
State Pension Age (or 65 in older scheme)
Inflation linked
CPI each year
Example Pension
Scenario
Annual Pension
30 years at average £38,000
~£20,000/year
35 years at average £42,000
~£25,800/year
25 years at average £55,000 (leadership)
~£24,100/year
Career Progression Timeline
Stage
Typical Timeline
Role
Salary (outside London)
ECT Year 1-2
Years 1-2
M1-M2
£30,000-£31,737
Developing teacher
Years 3-5
M3-M5
£33,614-£37,733
Experienced teacher
Years 5-6
M6
£41,333
Post-threshold
Years 7+
UPS1-3
£43,266-£46,525
Middle leader
Years 8+
UPS + TLR
£46,000-£62,000
Senior leader
Years 12+
Leadership
£55,000-£90,000
Headteacher
Years 15+
Leadership
£53,000-£140,000+
Other Teacher Benefits
Benefit
Details
Holidays
13 weeks school holidays (directed time ~195 days)
Sick pay
Full pay for up to 100 working days, half pay for 100 more
Maternity
Statutory + 4 weeks full pay + 2 weeks 90% (varies by authority)