Teacher Take-Home Pay Calculator 2024/25
Calculate your teacher paycheck after income tax, National Insurance and Teachers' Pension contributions. Covers all pay scales — M1 to UPS3, Leadership grades, and all UK regions including London weighting.
How Much Do Teachers Earn in the UK?
Teacher salaries in the UK are set by statutory pay frameworks that differ across the four nations. In England and Wales, the Department for Education (DfE) publishes annual School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Documents (STPCD) that establish minimum and maximum pay for each grade. Scotland and Northern Ireland operate their own frameworks.
For 2024/25, a newly qualified teacher in England (outside London) earns a minimum of £31,650 per year on the M1 point. After income tax, National Insurance and a 7.4% Teachers' Pension contribution, that translates to approximately £2,060 per month take-home.
At the top of the Upper Pay Scale (UPS3, rest of England), a teacher earns £53,602 gross, giving a monthly take-home of approximately £3,150. London weighting can add up to £7,116 on top of national scales, significantly boosting both gross salary and take-home pay.
| Career Stage | Scale | Gross (Rest of England) | Approx. Monthly Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newly Qualified Teacher | M1 | £31,650 | ~£2,060 |
| Mid Main Scale | M3 | £36,013 | ~£2,290 |
| Top of Main Scale | M6 | £43,685 | ~£2,680 |
| Upper Pay Scale | UPS1 | £49,781 | ~£2,960 |
| Upper Pay Scale (top) | UPS3 | £53,602 | ~£3,150 |
| Middle Leader | L1–L10 | £47,185–£61,882 | ~£2,800–£3,600 |
| Headteacher (large school) | L43 | Up to £125,098 | ~£6,700 |
Gross figures are 2024/25 DfE reference points for the rest of England. Take-home estimates include income tax, NI and Teachers' Pension at the applicable tier. Always verify with gov.uk.
Teacher Pay Scale Explained: M1 to UPS3 and Leadership
The England and Wales teacher pay framework has three main ranges:
Main Pay Range (MPR): M1–M6
The Main Pay Range is for qualified teachers who are not yet on the Upper Pay Scale. Progression from M1 upward is not automatic — it is subject to performance management. Most schools move teachers up one point per year if performance targets are met. A newly qualified teacher (NQT / ECT — Early Career Teacher) typically starts at M1 and can reach M6 within five to six years of satisfactory progression.
Upper Pay Range (UPR): UPS1–UPS3
The Upper Pay Scale is available to teachers who have applied and been assessed as meeting the UPS threshold criteria. Moving to UPS1 requires a formal application demonstrating sustained high performance. The UPS provides a significant salary jump: from M6 (£43,685) to UPS1 (£49,781) is an increase of over £6,000 per year in the rest of England.
Leadership Pay Range: L1–L43
The Leadership Pay Range covers assistant headteachers, deputy headteachers and headteachers. Pay within the Leadership range is individually negotiated based on school size, pupil numbers and complexity. The range spans from L1 (£47,185) to L43 (£125,098) for 2024/25.
| Scale | Rest of England | Outer London | Inner London |
|---|---|---|---|
| M1 | £31,650 | £34,514 | £38,766 |
| M2 | £33,714 | £36,745 | £40,393 |
| M3 | £36,013 | £39,107 | £42,073 |
| M4 | £38,448 | £41,621 | £43,971 |
| M5 | £41,333 | £44,441 | £46,001 |
| M6 | £43,685 | £47,185 | £49,147 |
| UPS1 | £49,781 | £50,471 | £52,734 |
| UPS2 | £51,128 | £51,576 | £53,874 |
| UPS3 | £53,602 | £53,994 | £56,470 |
Source: DfE School Teachers' Pay and Conditions 2024. Academy schools and free schools may set their own pay scales but commonly follow DfE reference points. Always verify with your school's pay policy.
London Weighting: Inner London, Outer London and the Fringe
Teaching in London comes with significantly higher salaries, reflecting the capital's elevated cost of living. The DfE sets three London pay bands:
- Inner London: Schools within the inner London boroughs (e.g., Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Southwark). M1 starts at £38,766 — £7,116 above the national minimum.
- Outer London: Schools in outer London boroughs (e.g., Croydon, Barnet, Ealing). M1 starts at £34,514 — £2,864 above the national minimum.
- London Fringe: Areas just outside Greater London (e.g., parts of Hertfordshire, Surrey, Essex) have a separate fringe allowance, typically a few hundred pounds above the national scale. Note: our calculator uses the main three bands; check your contract for fringe entitlement.
Despite higher gross salaries, teachers in London often find that the take-home advantage is partially offset by higher rent and living costs. An M1 Inner London teacher taking home approximately £2,420/month faces London rents that typically exceed £1,500/month for a one-bedroom flat.
Teacher Pay in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Scotland
Scottish teachers are employed under terms set by the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT). Salary scales for 2024/25 are:
- Probationer teacher: £27,613
- Main grade (M1–M6 equivalent): £33,150 to £47,434
- Chartered Teacher: Up to £50,964
- Principal Teacher: £54,086+
Scottish teachers contribute to the Scottish Teachers' Superannuation Scheme (STSS), which has similar tiered contribution rates. Scottish income tax rates also differ from the rest of the UK — the calculator uses Scottish income tax bands (19%, 20%, 21%, 42%, 45%) where relevant.
Wales
Wales has historically followed England's pay scales but through the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body. For 2024/25, Welsh teacher pay closely mirrors England's rest-of-England scale (M1 £31,650). Welsh teachers are in the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) Wales, which operates identically to the England TPS for contribution rates.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland teachers are employed by the Education Authority Northern Ireland (EANI). Pay scales are broadly similar to England's national scale but are reviewed by the Northern Ireland Teachers' Council. M1 is approximately £31,031 for 2024/25. Teachers in Northern Ireland contribute to the Northern Ireland Teachers' Pension Scheme (NITPS).
Teachers' Pension Scheme: Contribution Rates and Benefits
The Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) is a defined-benefit, career-average pension scheme administered by Teachers' Pensions on behalf of the Department for Education. It is one of the most valuable employer benefits available to any public sector worker in the UK.
Employee Contribution Rates 2024/25
Your contribution rate depends on your actual pensionable pay (essentially your gross salary). The tiers below apply for 2024/25:
| Annual Pensionable Pay | Contribution Rate | On £40,000 salary (example) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to £27,047 | 7.4% | N/A |
| £27,048 – £36,410 | 8.6% | N/A |
| £36,411 – £43,772 | 9.6% | £3,840/year (£320/month) |
| £43,773 – £57,964 | 10.2% | N/A |
| £57,965 – £88,419 | 11.3% | N/A |
| Over £88,420 | 11.7% | N/A |
Employer contributions are 23.68% of gross salary — this is a remarkable benefit not reflected in your take-home pay but representing significant additional compensation. On a £35,000 salary, the employer contributes over £8,288/year into your pension on top of your salary.
Key TPS Benefits
- Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE): Your pension builds up at 1/57th of your pensionable pay each year, revalued annually in line with CPI.
- Normal Pension Age: Linked to your State Pension age (currently 66, rising to 67 from 2026).
- Inflation protection: Pension in payment rises with CPI each April.
- Death in service: A lump sum of three times your annual salary plus a survivor's pension for dependants.
- Ill-health retirement: Enhanced pension payable if you are unable to work due to illness.
Take-Home Pay Examples: Real Calculations
The examples below show exact take-home calculations for common teacher scenarios in 2025/26, using the standard Personal Allowance of £12,570.
M1 — Newly Qualified Teacher, Outer London (£34,514 gross)
M1 — Newly Qualified Teacher, Rest of England (£31,650 gross)
M6 — Experienced Teacher, Inner London (£49,147 gross)
UPS1 — Part-Time (60% FTE), Rest of England (£49,781 × 0.6 = £29,869 gross)
These examples use 2025/26 tax rates: £12,570 Personal Allowance, 20% basic rate, 40% higher rate above £50,270 combined income. NI calculated on earnings above £12,570 at 8% (up to £50,270) and 2% above. Pension treated as pre-tax deduction.
CPD, Pay Progression and Threshold Assessment
Unlike many public sector pay structures, teacher pay in England is not automatically incremented each year. Since 2014, schools have been required to link pay progression to performance management outcomes. Here is how progression typically works:
Main Pay Range Progression
Your school's governing body (or trust board for academies) sets a pay policy that must include at minimum one pay point movement per year for teachers who meet their performance objectives. In practice, most schools award the next M-point annually to teachers who receive a satisfactory or better performance review. Some schools adopt multi-point progression for outstanding performance.
Applying for the Upper Pay Scale
To move to UPS1, you must submit a formal pay portability/UPS application demonstrating that:
- Your teaching is assessed as good or better in your most recent performance review.
- You have made a substantial and sustained contribution to the school — typically evidenced over two consecutive years.
Once on UPS, further progression from UPS1 to UPS2 to UPS3 again requires evidence-based performance assessment. There is no time limit on UPS — some teachers remain at UPS1 for several years.
Additional Pay: TLRs and Other Allowances
Beyond the main pay scale, many teachers receive Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR) payments for additional responsibilities such as head of department, pastoral lead, or curriculum development roles. TLR values for 2024/25 are:
- TLR1: £3,391 to £8,706/year
- TLR2: £1,000 to £2,873/year
- TLR3 (fixed-term): £596 to £1,000/year
- SEN allowance: £2,539 to £5,119/year (for SENCO or specialist SEN roles)
TLR and SEN payments are added to your gross salary and are subject to income tax, NI and pension contributions in the normal way.
Teaching Assistants vs Teachers: Pay Comparison
Teaching assistants (TAs) and higher-level teaching assistants (HLTAs) are paid on local authority or academy scales that are separate from the qualified teacher pay framework. The difference in take-home pay is substantial:
| Role | Typical Gross (Full Year) | Approx. Monthly Take-Home | Pension Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teaching Assistant (TA1–TA2) | £20,000–£24,000 | ~£1,500–£1,750 | LGPS (Local Gov) |
| Senior TA (TA3) | £24,000–£27,000 | ~£1,750–£1,950 | LGPS |
| HLTA | £26,000–£32,000 | ~£1,900–£2,200 | LGPS |
| NQT/ECT (M1) | £31,650–£38,766 | ~£2,060–£2,420 | TPS (Teachers') |
| Experienced Teacher (M6) | £43,685–£49,147 | ~£2,680–£2,980 | TPS (Teachers') |
| Upper Pay Scale (UPS3) | £53,602–£56,470 | ~£3,150–£3,300 | TPS (Teachers') |
Note that TA salary figures quoted above are for term-time-only contracts (typically 39 weeks) but may be expressed as an annualised amount. A TA on £22,000 annualised for 39 weeks receives approximately £22,000 per year gross. Teaching assistants who move into teaching through routes such as School Direct or the Assessment Only route can expect a significant salary increase to M1 upon qualification.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a teacher take home per month?
It depends on your pay scale and where you teach. An M1 teacher in the rest of England (£31,650 gross) takes home approximately £2,007–£2,060/month. An M6 teacher in Outer London (£47,185 gross) takes home around £2,880/month. UPS3 teachers in the rest of England (£53,602 gross) take home approximately £3,150/month. Use our calculator above for your exact figure.
What is the starting salary for a teacher in England?
The minimum starting salary for a qualified teacher in England for 2024/25 is £31,650 per year (M1, outside London). In Outer London the M1 minimum is £34,514, and in Inner London it is £38,766. Academy schools and free schools can set their own salaries but commonly use DfE reference points. Always verify with the DfE pay and conditions guidance.
How does the Teachers' Pension affect take-home pay?
Teachers contribute between 7.4% and 11.7% of gross salary to the Teachers' Pension Scheme, depending on their earnings tier. Because TPS contributions are deducted before income tax is assessed, the actual take-home reduction is less than the headline percentage. For example, an M3 teacher contributing 8.6% on £36,013 saves around £619 in income tax, so the net take-home reduction is roughly 6.5% rather than 8.6%.
What is the London weighting for teachers?
London weighting is built into separate pay scales. At M1, Inner London pays £7,116 more than the rest of England (£38,766 vs £31,650), and Outer London pays £2,864 more (£34,514 vs £31,650). At M6, Inner London pays £5,462 more than the national scale. The London premium reduces proportionally higher up the scale, particularly at UPS where the bands converge.
Can teachers opt out of the Teachers' Pension Scheme?
Yes, teachers can opt out of the TPS by submitting a form to their employer. However, this is rarely advisable because the employer contributes 23.68% of your salary — you would forfeit this entirely. Opting out on a £35,000 salary means losing £8,288 in annual employer contributions. Your take-home pay would increase by your employee contribution (e.g., 8.6% = £3,010/year), but you would lose a much larger total pension benefit. Seek independent financial advice before opting out.
Do teachers pay National Insurance?
Yes. Teachers pay Class 1 Employee National Insurance on earnings above the Primary Threshold (£12,570/year in 2025/26). The rate is 8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270, and 2% on earnings above £50,270. For an M1 teacher on £31,650, employee NI is approximately £1,526–£1,572 per year (£127–£131/month). NI is calculated on gross salary, not on the post-pension-contribution figure.
How is part-time teacher pay calculated?
Part-time teacher pay is calculated as a proportion of the full-time equivalent (FTE) salary based on timetabled teaching hours. A 0.6 FTE teacher on UPS1 (£49,781 FTE) earns £29,869 gross. All the same deductions apply — income tax, NI and Teachers' Pension — but at a lower level, often meaning the effective tax rate is lower as more income falls within the basic-rate band. Use the FTE field in our calculator to see your exact take-home.