Teacher Pay Calculator

Teacher pay in England and Wales is set by the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD). The Main Pay Range (MPR) for classroom teachers in 2026/27 runs from M1 (approximately £31,650) to M6 (approximately £43,607) outside London. The Upper Pay Range (UPR) for experienced teachers runs from UPR1 to UPR3, topping out at approximately £49,084.

London weighting applies in four zones: Inner London, Outer London, Fringe and Rest of England. Inner London attracts the highest premiums, with MPR starting approximately £5,000 higher. Leadership pay scales cover headteachers, deputy heads and assistant heads with separate spine points.

This calculator shows your gross salary based on your pay range, spine point and location. It then deducts income tax, NI and Teachers' Pension contributions (currently 7.4% to 11.7% of pensionable pay depending on salary band) to show your monthly and annual take-home pay.

UK teacher pay scales 2025/26. Main Scale England (M1-M6): M1 £31,650; M2 £33,483; M3 £35,402; M4 £37,409; M5 £39,503; M6 £43,607. Outer London +£1,500-£2,500; Inner London +£3,000-£6,000. Upper Pay Range (UPR — applied after Main Scale): U1 £45,646; U2 £47,295; U3 £49,084. Leadership Pay Scale (head of department, assistant head): £49,082-£85,810. Headteacher: £63,815-£139,891 depending on school size. Scotland/Wales/NI: separate pay scales, broadly similar.

Teacher pension scheme — Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS). Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE): pension based on average career earnings, revalued each year. Accrual rate 1/57 per year. Sample: 35 years' service at £50k average = 35/57 × £50,000 = £30,702/year pension. Plus State Pension £12k = £42,702 total annual income in retirement (very strong). Employee contribution: 7.4-11.7% (banded). Employer contribution: 28.68% (huge — equivalent to ~25% pay rise vs public sector employer). Defined benefit guarantees inflation-linked pension for life.

Performance pay and progression. Annual pay progression NOT automatic since 2014 reforms — must show performance against teaching standards each year. Most teachers: M1 to M6 in 6 years (progressing one point each year if good performance). Promotion to UPR: needs Threshold application — show consistent good practice. Leadership progression: assistant head → deputy → head typically 5-10 years. Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR): payment for additional duties like head of department (£3,000-£15,000 on top).

Teacher take-home pay. M6 teacher (£43,607): tax £6,207; NI £2,483; pension contribution 9.8% = £4,274; total deductions £12,964. Net take-home £30,643/year (£2,554/month). Compare: same income private sector with 5% pension = £33k+ net. Teacher's much larger employer pension contribution offsets the lower current take-home — total comp package very strong. Plus: 13 weeks paid holiday; strong job security; defined benefit pension; sick pay (6 months full + 6 months half typical).

Teacher salary myths and realities. Lower starting salary than equivalent graduate roles (£31k vs £35-£40k in business/tech): TRUE. But: pension and holidays generous offset. Hours worked: classroom teaching 24-25 hours/week + extensive planning, marking, parent contact = typical 50-60 hour week (officially 1,265 'directed time' hours/year). Workload main reason for leaving — not pay. Career length: average UK teacher career 12-15 years. Teach in private/independent schools: 10-30% higher pay typically but smaller pension (workplace DC vs TPS).