Table of Contents
If you’re in education, knowing about the teacher pay scale is really important. This guide breaks down teacher salaries in a clear and simple way. Whether you’re aspiring to become a teacher or have already years of experience, it will help you make sense of how the pay structure works.
How is Teacher Pay Calculated?
Teachers get paid based on a set scale that looks at two main things: experience in teaching and where they teach.
Experience Level
Teacher salaries increase with experience. When teachers start out, they earn less, but as they gain more experience, their pay goes up.
Main and Upper Pay Scale for Qualified Teachers
Qualified teachers are usually placed on either the main pay scale (MPS) or the upper pay scale (UPS). The MPS is for teachers starting out in their careers, while the UPS is for those who have gained a lot of experience and shown excellent performance.
Learn more about the qualifications you need to be a teacher in UK.
Lead Practitioner
Lead practitioners are like experienced mentors in teaching. They’re respected for their excellent teaching skills and help other teachers grow professionally. They earn higher pay than regular teachers.
Leadership Group
The leadership group pay scale applies to senior roles in schools, such as assistant headteachers, deputy headteachers, and headteachers. These roles involve a lot of responsibility, and they are compensated accordingly.
Headteachers
Headteachers have the most important job in a school and are paid differently to match their big responsibilities and leadership.
Teaching and Learning Responsibilities (TLR)
Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR) payments are extra money given to teachers who take on additional roles, like being department heads or year leaders. These payments are added to their regular salary and vary depending on the level of responsibility they have.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Teachers who support students with special educational needs (SEN) may receive extra pay. This acknowledges the extra care and skill they bring to help these students succeed.
Unqualified Teachers
Teachers who are still working on their qualifications start with lower pay than fully qualified teachers. As they gain more experience and earn their qualifications, their pay increases.
Want to train to become a qualified teacher? Check out our ultimate guide to teacher training with all the information you need to get started.
Location
In UK, teachers’ salaries can vary quite a bit depending on location. This is because living costs and local economic conditions differ across the country. Teachers tend to earn more in cities like London and its surrounding areas, where living expenses are higher. Therefore, it’s important for teachers to be aware of these differences so they can make informed decisions about their careers and find opportunities that suit their financial and professional aspirations.
Average Teacher Salary in UK
In the United Kingdom, teacher salaries can be affected by factors such as where you work, how much experience you have, and any extra responsibilities you take on. According to Reed.co.uk (as of 17 July 2024), teachers make about an average of £35,137 a year. This figure gives you a good idea of what qualified teachers typically earn across various regions and experience levels.
Teacher Pay Scales in UK
Below are the tables according to the teacher pay data for 2022-23 and 2023-24:
England (excluding London/Fringe)
| Qualified Teachers | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | Increase |
| Main 1 | £28,000 | £30,000 | 7.10% |
| Main 2 | £29,800 | £31,737 | 6.50% |
| Main 3 | £31,750 | £33,814 | 6.50% |
| Main 4 | £33,850 | £36,051 | 6.50% |
| Main 5 | £35,990 | £38,330 | 6.50% |
| Main 6 | £38,810 | £41,333 | 6.50% |
| Upper 1 | £40,625 | £43,266 | 6.50% |
| Upper 2 | £42,131 | £44,870 | 6.50% |
| Upper 3 | £43,685 | £46,525 | 6.50% |
| Leading Practitioner | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | Increase |
| Minimum | £44,523 | £47,417 | 6.50% |
| Maximum | £67,685 | £72,085 | 6.50% |
| Leadership Group | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | Increase |
| L1 | £44,305 | £47,185 | 6.50% |
| L2 | £45,414 | £48,366 | 6.50% |
| L3 | £46,548 | £49,574 | 6.50% |
| L4 | £47,706 | £50,807 | 6.50% |
| L5 | £48,895 | £52,074 | 6.50% |
| L6 | £50,122 | £53,380 | 6.50% |
| L7 | £51,470 | £54,816 | 6.50% |
| L8 | £52,659 | £56,082 | 6.50% |
| L9 | £53,973 | £57,482 | 6.50% |
| L10 | £55,360 | £58,959 | 6.50% |
| L11 | £56,796 | £60,488 | 6.50% |
| L12 | £58,105 | £61,882 | 6.50% |
| L13 | £59,558 | £63,430 | 6.50% |
| L14 | £61,042 | £65,010 | 6.50% |
| L15 | £62,561 | £66,628 | 6.50% |
| L16 | £64,225 | £68,400 | 6.50% |
| L17 | £65,699 | £69,970 | 6.50% |
| L18 | £67,351 | £71,729 | 6.50% |
| L19 | £69,022 | £73,509 | 6.50% |
| L20 | £70,733 | £75,331 | 6.50% |
| L21 | £72,483 | £77,195 | 6.50% |
| L22 | £74,283 | £79,112 | 6.50% |
| L23 | £76,122 | £81,070 | 6.50% |
| L24 | £78,010 | £83,081 | 6.50% |
| L25 | £79,949 | £85,146 | 6.50% |
| L26 | £81,927 | £87,253 | 6.50% |
| L27 | £83,956 | £89,414 | 6.50% |
| L28 | £86,040 | £91,633 | 6.50% |
| L29 | £88,170 | £93,902 | 6.50% |
| L30 | £90,365 | £96,239 | 6.50% |
| L31 | £92,597 | £98,616 | 6.50% |
| L32 | £94,898 | £101,067 | 6.50% |
| L33 | £97,256 | £103,578 | 6.50% |
| L34 | £99,660 | £106,138 | 6.50% |
| L35 | £102,137 | £108,776 | 6.50% |
| L36 | £104,666 | £111,470 | 6.50% |
| L37 | £107,267 | £114,240 | 6.50% |
| L38 | £109,922 | £117,067 | 6.50% |
| L39 | £112,601 | £119,921 | 6.50% |
| L40 | £115,410 | £122,912 | 6.50% |
| L41 | £118,293 | £125,983 | 6.50% |
| L42 | £121,258 | £129,140 | 6.50% |
| L43 | £123,057 | £131,056 | 6.50% |
| Unqualified Teacher | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | Increase |
| 1 | £19,340 | £20,598 | 6.50% |
| 2 | £21,559 | £22,961 | 6.50% |
| 3 | £23,777 | £25,323 | 6.50% |
| 4 | £25,733 | £27,406 | 6.50% |
| 5 | £27,954 | £29,772 | 6.50% |
| 6 | £30,172 | £32,134 | 6.50% |
London Fringe
| Qualified Teachers | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | Increase |
| Main 1 | £29,344 | £31,350 | 6.80% |
| Main 2 | £31,126 | £33,150 | 6.50% |
| Main 3 | £33,055 | £35,204 | 6.50% |
| Main 4 | £35,151 | £37,436 | 6.50% |
| Main 5 | £37,264 | £39,687 | 6.50% |
| Main 6 | £40,083 | £42,689 | 6.50% |
| Upper 1 | £41,858 | £44,579 | 6.50% |
| Upper 2 | £43,360 | £46,179 | 6.50% |
| Upper 3 | £44,919 | £47,839 | 6.50% |
| Leading Practitioner | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | Increase |
| Minimum | £45,749 | £48,723 | 6.50% |
| Maximum | £68,913 | £73,393 | 6.50% |
| Leadership Group | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | Increase |
| L1 | £45,524 | £48,484 | 6.50% |
| L2 | £46,636 | £49,668 | 6.50% |
| L3 | £47,770 | £50,876 | 6.50% |
| L4 | £48,935 | £52,116 | 6.50% |
| L5 | £50,124 | £53,383 | 6.50% |
| L6 | £51,347 | £54,685 | 6.50% |
| L7 | £52,700 | £56,126 | 6.50% |
| L8 | £53,880 | £57,383 | 6.50% |
| L9 | £55,197 | £58,785 | 6.50% |
| L10 | £56,583 | £60,261 | 6.50% |
| L11 | £58,017 | £61,789 | 6.50% |
| L12 | £59,332 | £63,189 | 6.50% |
| L13 | £60,785 | £64,737 | 6.50% |
| L14 | £62,268 | £66,316 | 6.50% |
| L15 | £63,782 | £67,928 | 6.50% |
| L16 | £65,450 | £69,705 | 6.50% |
| L17 | £66,934 | £71,285 | 6.50% |
| L18 | £68,576 | £73,034 | 6.50% |
| L19 | £70,245 | £74,811 | 6.50% |
| L20 | £72,067 | £76,752 | 6.50% |
| L21 | £73,715 | £78,507 | 6.50% |
| L22 | £75,510 | £80,419 | 6.50% |
| L23 | £77,345 | £82,373 | 6.50% |
| L24 | £79,240 | £84,391 | 6.50% |
| L25 | £81,173 | £86,450 | 6.50% |
| L26 | £83,155 | £88,561 | 6.50% |
| L27 | £85,181 | £90,718 | 6.50% |
| L28 | £87,261 | £92,933 | 6.50% |
| L29 | £89,396 | £95,207 | 6.50% |
| L30 | £91,583 | £97,536 | 6.50% |
| L31 | £93,825 | £99,924 | 6.50% |
| L32 | £96,127 | £102,376 | 6.50% |
| L33 | £98,485 | £104,887 | 6.50% |
| L34 | £100,888 | £107,446 | 6.50% |
| L35 | £103,366 | £110,085 | 6.50% |
| L36 | £105,891 | £112,774 | 6.50% |
| L37 | £108,494 | £115,547 | 6.50% |
| L38 | £111,148 | £118,373 | 6.50% |
| L39 | £113,823 | £121,222 | 6.50% |
| L40 | £116,641 | £124,223 | 6.50% |
| L41 | £119,520 | £127,289 | 6.50% |
| L42 | £122,486 | £130,448 | 6.50% |
| L43 | £124,274 | £132,352 | 6.50% |
| Unqualified Teacher | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | Increase |
| 1 | £20,594 | £21,933 | 6.50% |
| 2 | £22,810 | £24,293 | 6.50% |
| 3 | £25,029 | £26,656 | 6.50% |
| 4 | £26,984 | £28,738 | 6.50% |
| 5 | £29,203 | £31,102 | 6.50% |
| 6 | £31,421 | £33,464 | 6.50% |
Outer London
| Qualified Teachers | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | Increase |
| Main 1 | £32,407 | £34,514 | 6.50% |
| Main 2 | £34,103 | £36,320 | 6.50% |
| Main 3 | £35,886 | £38,219 | 6.50% |
| Main 4 | £37,763 | £40,218 | 6.50% |
| Main 5 | £40,050 | £42,654 | 6.50% |
| Main 6 | £43,193 | £46,001 | 6.50% |
| Upper 1 | £44,687 | £47,592 | 6.50% |
| Upper 2 | £46,340 | £49,353 | 6.50% |
| Upper 3 | £48,055 | £51,179 | 6.50% |
| Leading Practitioner | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | Increase |
| Minimum | £48,055 | £51,179 | 6.50% |
| Maximum | £71,220 | £75,850 | 6.50% |
| Leadership Group | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | Increase |
| L1 | £47,820 | £50,929 | 6.50% |
| L2 | £48,932 | £52,113 | 6.50% |
| L3 | £50,060 | £53,314 | 6.50% |
| L4 | £51,225 | £54,555 | 6.50% |
| L5 | £52,415 | £55,822 | 6.50% |
| L6 | £53,637 | £57,124 | 6.50% |
| L7 | £54,990 | £58,565 | 6.50% |
| L8 | £56,174 | £59,826 | 6.50% |
| L9 | £57,488 | £61,225 | 6.50% |
| L10 | £58,876 | £62,703 | 6.50% |
| L11 | £60,308 | £64,229 | 6.50% |
| L12 | £61,623 | £65,629 | 6.50% |
| L13 | £63,077 | £67,178 | 6.50% |
| L14 | £64,553 | £68,749 | 6.50% |
| L15 | £66,073 | £70,368 | 6.50% |
| L16 | £67,740 | £72,144 | 6.50% |
| L17 | £69,218 | £73,718 | 6.50% |
| L18 | £70,871 | £75,478 | 6.50% |
| L19 | £72,542 | £77,258 | 6.50% |
| L20 | £74,249 | £79,076 | 6.50% |
| L21 | £76,003 | £80,944 | 6.50% |
| L22 | £77,795 | £82,852 | 6.50% |
| L23 | £79,635 | £84,812 | 6.50% |
| L24 | £81,526 | £86,826 | 6.50% |
| L25 | £83,464 | £88,890 | 6.50% |
| L26 | £85,441 | £90,995 | 6.50% |
| L27 | £87,471 | £93,157 | 6.50% |
| L28 | £89,555 | £95,377 | 6.50% |
| L29 | £91,682 | £97,642 | 6.50% |
| L30 | £93,877 | £99,980 | 6.50% |
| L31 | £96,116 | £102,364 | 6.50% |
| L32 | £98,411 | £104,808 | 6.50% |
| L33 | £100,774 | £107,325 | 6.50% |
| L34 | £103,177 | £109,884 | 6.50% |
| L35 | £105,651 | £112,519 | 6.50% |
| L36 | £108,178 | £115,210 | 6.50% |
| L37 | £110,785 | £117,987 | 6.50% |
| L38 | £113,439 | £120,813 | 6.50% |
| L39 | £116,114 | £123,662 | 6.50% |
| L40 | £118,930 | £126,661 | 6.50% |
| L41 | £121,811 | £129,729 | 6.50% |
| L42 | £124,770 | £132,881 | 6.50% |
| L43 | £126,539 | £134,765 | 6.50% |
| Unqualified Teacher | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | Increase |
| 1 | £22,924 | £24,415 | 6.50% |
| 2 | £25,144 | £26,779 | 6.50% |
| 3 | £27,362 | £29,141 | 6.50% |
| 4 | £29,323 | £31,229 | 6.50% |
| 5 | £31,539 | £33,590 | 6.50% |
| 6 | £33,759 | £35,954 | 6.50% |
Inner London
| Qualified Teachers | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | Increase |
| Main 1 | £34,502 | £36,745 | 6.50% |
| Main 2 | £36,141 | £38,491 | 6.50% |
| Main 3 | £37,857 | £40,318 | 6.50% |
| Main 4 | £39,655 | £42,233 | 6.50% |
| Main 5 | £41,892 | £44,615 | 6.50% |
| Main 6 | £44,756 | £47,666 | 6.50% |
| Upper 1 | £49,320 | £52,526 | 6.50% |
| Upper 2 | £51,743 | £55,107 | 6.50% |
| Upper 3 | £53,482 | £56,959 | 6.50% |
| Leading Practitioner | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | Increase |
| Minimum | £52,936 | £56,377 | 6.50% |
| Maximum | £76,104 | £81,051 | 6.50% |
| Leadership Group | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | Increase |
| L1 | £52,676 | £56,100 | 6.50% |
| L2 | £53,791 | £57,288 | 6.50% |
| L3 | £54,929 | £58,500 | 6.50% |
| L4 | £56,085 | £59,731 | 6.50% |
| L5 | £57,280 | £61,004 | 6.50% |
| L6 | £58,501 | £62,304 | 6.50% |
| L7 | £59,854 | £63,745 | 6.50% |
| L8 | £61,039 | £65,007 | 6.50% |
| L9 | £62,349 | £66,402 | 6.50% |
| L10 | £63,737 | £67,880 | 6.50% |
| L11 | £65,170 | £69,407 | 6.50% |
| L12 | £66,485 | £70,807 | 6.50% |
| L13 | £67,935 | £72,351 | 6.50% |
| L14 | £69,420 | £73,933 | 6.50% |
| L15 | £70,934 | £75,545 | 6.50% |
| L16 | £72,604 | £77,324 | 6.50% |
| L17 | £74,080 | £78,896 | 6.50% |
| L18 | £75,732 | £80,655 | 6.50% |
| L19 | £77,401 | £82,433 | 6.50% |
| L20 | £79,113 | £84,256 | 6.50% |
| L21 | £80,862 | £86,119 | 6.50% |
| L22 | £82,662 | £88,036 | 6.50% |
| L23 | £84,496 | £89,989 | 6.50% |
| L24 | £86,391 | £92,007 | 6.50% |
| L25 | £88,325 | £94,067 | 6.50% |
| L26 | £90,302 | £96,172 | 6.50% |
| L27 | £92,330 | £98,332 | 6.50% |
| L28 | £94,415 | £100,552 | 6.50% |
| L29 | £96,551 | £102,827 | 6.50% |
| L30 | £98,741 | £105,160 | 6.50% |
| L31 | £100,977 | £107,541 | 6.50% |
| L32 | £103,273 | £109,986 | 6.50% |
| L33 | £105,635 | £112,502 | 6.50% |
| L34 | £108,039 | £115,062 | 6.50% |
| L35 | £110,516 | £117,700 | 6.50% |
| L36 | £113,041 | £120,389 | 6.50% |
| L37 | £115,650 | £123,168 | 6.50% |
| L38 | £118,298 | £125,988 | 6.50% |
| L39 | £120,976 | £128,840 | 6.50% |
| L40 | £123,793 | £131,840 | 6.50% |
| L41 | £126,678 | £134,913 | 6.50% |
| L42 | £129,635 | £138,062 | 6.50% |
| L43 | £131,353 | £139,891 | 6.50% |
| Unqualified Teacher | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | Increase |
| 1 | £24,254 | £25,831 | 6.50% |
| 2 | £26,473 | £28,194 | 6.50% |
| 3 | £28,692 | £30,557 | 6.50% |
| 4 | £30,647 | £32,640 | 6.50% |
| 5 | £32,863 | £35,000 | 6.50% |
| 6 | £35,081 | £37,362 | 6.50% |
TLR Allowances
| TLR payment 1 | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | Increase |
| Minimum | £8,706 | £9,272 | 6.50% |
| Maximum | £14,732 | £15,690 | 6.50% |
| TLR payment 2 | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | Increase |
| Minimum | £3,017 | £3,214 | 6.50% |
| Maximum | £7,368 | £7,847 | 6.50% |
| TLR payment 3 (Fixed Term) | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | Increase |
| Minimum | £600 | £639 | 6.50% |
| Maximum | £2,975 | £3,169 | 6.50% |
SEN Allowances
| SEN allowance | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | Increase |
| Minimum | £2,384 | £2,539 | 6.50% |
| Maximum | £4,703 | £5,009 | 6.50% |
Headteachers (01 SEPT 2023 TO 31 AUG 2024)
If you’re at the top of a headteacher’s pay range, check the pay ranges below. This table will show you how much you could earn as a headteacher in different places in UK.
| Level | England (excl. London/Fringe) | Fringe | Outer London | Inner London |
| 1 | £53,380 – £71,019 | £54,685 – £72,311 | £57,124 – £74,730 | £62,304 – £79,856 |
| 2 | £56,082 – £76,430 | £57,383 – £77,730 | £59,826 – £80,142 | £65,007 – £85,267 |
| 3 | £60,488 – £82,258 | £61,789 – £83,554 | £64,229 – £85,965 | £69,407 – £91,095 |
| 4 | £65,010 – £88,530 | £66,316 – £89,818 | £68,749 – £92,234 | £73,933 – £97,359 |
| 5 | £71,729 – £97,639 | £73,034 – £98,935 | £75,478 – £101,350 | £80,655 – £106,476 |
| 6 | £77,195 – £107,700 | £78,507 – £108,995 | £80,944 – £111,406 | £86,119 – £116,535 |
| 7 | £83,081 – £118,732 | £84,391 – £120,021 | £86,826 – £122,437 | £92,007 – £127,564 |
| 8 | £91,633 – £131,056 | £92,933 – £132,352 | £95,377 – £134,765 | £100,552 – £139,891 |
Conclusion
Understanding how teachers are paid is important for educators across the UK. Whether you’re new to teaching or have years of experience, knowing these salary details helps you to make smart choices about your career. If you’re looking to find job opportunities that match your skills and ambitions as a teacher, you can send us your CV today–we can help you land your dream job!
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