The pay award is subject to a statutory consultation period. Schools can choose how to implement the award.
If you’re a primary or secondary teacher in England, your salary will depend on the type of school you work in, where the school is, and the pay range you’re on.
The amounts on this page apply from 1 September 2026.
The pay ranges on this page apply to maintained schools (schools funded by local authorities).
Non-maintained schools (for example, academies, independent schools and private schools) can set their own pay, but often follow these pay ranges.
September 2026 and September 2027 pay awards
From September 2026, minimum starting salaries for teachers will be over £34,000 (or more in London).
From September 2027, minimum starting salaries for teachers will be over £35,000 (or more in London).
The average teacher salary will be over £52,800 from September 2026, and over £54,400 from September 2027.
The pay awards for September 2026 and September 2027 are subject to a consultation period.
Primary and secondary teacher salary
If you have qualified teacher status (QTS), you’ll get a minimum starting salary of £34,000 (or more in London) as a primary or secondary school teacher in England.
Your salary will be reviewed every year, with most teachers moving up the pay range annually. This will depend on your school’s performance management arrangements.
A typical teacher could earn at least £46,960 (or more in London) after 5 years.
Qualified teacher salary
| Area | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| England (excluding London) | £34,069 | £52,835 |
| London fringe | £35,602 | £54,328 |
| Outer London | £39,196 | £58,120 |
| Inner London | £41,729 | £64,684 |
Additional payments
You may also receive additional payments on top of your regular salary for taking on extra responsibilities.
You could get a one-off payment for a specific project, for example, creating a timetable, or for taking on extra responsibility attached to your job role, for example, being the head of department.
These additional payments are called teaching and learning responsibility (TLR) payments.
Depending on your responsibilities, you could earn up to an extra £17,819. Your school will determine how much you receive.
Teachers who take on a special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) role may also receive additional payments. These are known as SEN allowances.
Find out how to become a teacher
Career progression
Leading practitioner salary
Some schools also have a leading practitioner pay range for teachers with exemplary teaching skills who lead the improvement of teaching in their school.
What this will involve will depend on your school, but could include:
- coaching and mentoring other teachers, including trainees and early career teachers
- undertaking a national professional qualification (NPQ)
- supporting your school with plans to reduce workload
| Area | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| England (excluding London) | £53,847 | £81,861 |
| London fringe | £55,332 | £83,347 |
| Outer London | £58,120 | £86,136 |
| Inner London | £64,024 | £92,043 |
Headteacher salary
You could also go into a leadership position, such as a headteacher or assistant headteacher.
A headteacher is the most senior person in a school. They are ultimately responsible for all teachers and pupils.
Their role is wide-ranging, but includes leading and motivating teachers, and ensuring all pupils get a good education. The salary of a headteacher reflects this responsibility and can vary depending on the size and location of the school.
| Area | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| England (excluding London) | £60,619 | £148,829 |
| London fringe | £62,102 | £150,301 |
| Outer London | £64,871 | £153,042 |
| Inner London | £70,754 | £158,863 |
Find out more about how to move up the career ladder in teaching
If you do not have qualified teacher status (QTS)
You need qualified teacher status (QTS) to work in maintained primary, secondary and special schools in England.
If you do not have QTS (for example, if you just have a PGCE), you can work in some schools as an unqualified teacher.
This means you will be on a lower pay range and will not be entitled to the same benefits as a teacher with QTS.
If you’re already working as an unqualified teacher and have the right experience, you could be eligible for the assessment only route to qualified teacher status (QTS).
Or find out how you can earn an unqualified teacher salary while training to get QTS on a salaried teacher training course.
Unqualified teacher salary
| Area | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| England (excluding London) | £23,732 | £36,494 |
| London fringe | £24,909 | £38,004 |
| Outer London | £27,727 | £40,831 |
| Inner London | £29,336 | £42,429 |
Teachers’ pension scheme
One of the great benefits of a teaching career is a secure pension with employer contributions of 28.6%.
It is a ‘defined benefit’ pension and is:
- based on your teaching salary rather than the amount of money you pay in
- registered with HM Revenue and Customs - so your contributions are tax-free
- flexible and allows you to take some of it as a tax-free lump sum
You also get other insurance benefits too. Find out more about the teachers’ pension scheme.
Other benefits of teaching
In additional to the practical rewards of teaching, there’s personal benefits too. Teaching is a career that allows you to make a difference, explore your creativity, and apply skills from your degree or previous career.
