Teacher Pay Scales 2026/27
Explore updated teacher salaries across England, London Fringe, Outer London, and Inner London, then run your own take-home estimate with the built-in calculator.
Discover the updated teacher pay scales for England, including Inner London, Outer London, and the London Fringe, effective from September 2026. Find out how teacher salaries vary across different regions and experience levels, including additional allowances for TLRs, SEN roles, and leadership positions.
Use the Saving Tool UK teacher pay calculator to see how much of your teacher pay you will take home.
As of September 2026, teacher pay scales across England have been updated with a 3.5% increase, reflecting regional adjustments for London (Inner, Outer, and Fringe) to account for the higher cost of living.
Pay Scales Overview
The pay scales in England are divided into three main categories:
- Main Pay Range (MPR): Typically for qualified teachers who have not yet progressed to the upper pay range.
- Upper Pay Range (UPR): Typically for qualified teachers who have progressed beyond the main pay range.
- Leadership Pay Range: For school leaders, including assistant headteachers, deputy headteachers and headteachers.
Each pay range includes multiple points that teachers progress through based on experience and performance.
For teachers working in London, there are additional pay bands to reflect the higher cost of living in the capital:
- Inner London: Schools within central London.
- Outer London: Schools located in outer boroughs.
- London Fringe: Areas just outside of London where the cost of living is higher than the national average but lower than inner and outer London.
Main Pay Range (MPR) 2026/27
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Upper Pay Range (UPR) 2026/27
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Lead Practitioner Pay Range 2026/27
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Leadership Pay Range 2026/27
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Headteacher Pay
Headteacher pay is grouped by a range of Leadership Pay Points:
- Group 1: Points L6-L18
- Group 2: Points L8-L21
- Group 3: Points L11-L24
- Group 4: Points L14-L27
- Group 5: Points L18-L31
- Group 6: Points L21-L35
- Group 7: Points L24-L39
- Group 8: Points L28-L43
Factors That Influence Teacher Pay
Your position on the pay scale can be influenced by several factors, including:
- Experience: Teachers typically progress one point up the pay scale each year, although progression may depend on satisfactory performance reviews.
- Additional Responsibilities: Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR) payments are available for additional responsibilities, such as leading a department or coordinating a subject.
- Location: As demonstrated in the tables above, your salary can vary significantly depending on whether you work in London or other parts of England.
Allowances and Additional Payments
In addition to the standard pay scales, teachers may also receive:
- SEN Allowances: For working with pupils who have special needs.
- Recruitment and Retention Payments: To attract and retain teachers in high-demand areas.
- Performance-Related Pay (PRP): Upper pay range progression may be linked to performance evaluations.
Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR) Payments
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| TLR Type | Min Payment | Max Payment |
|---|---|---|
| TLR 1 | £10,530 | £17,819 |
| TLR 2 | £3,650 | £8,912 |
| TLR 3 (Fixed term) | £727 | £3,600 |
Special Educational Needs (SEN) Allowances
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| SEN Level | Amount |
|---|---|
| SEN Minimum | £2,885 |
| SEN Maximum | £5,689 |
Staying informed about your pay scale is essential for managing your career and finances as a teacher. The tables and information above give you a detailed picture of the salary you can expect based on your experience and location. For more specific details, including your individual circumstances, consult with your school's payroll or visit the official teacher pay scale documentation.
You can also visit the Teacher's Union (NASUWT) website for additional information around teacher pay.
Your teacher pay after tax
Enter your salary to see annual and monthly take-home pay, then use the tables below for full 2026/27 pay-point reference data.
Pension, region, student loan, State Pension age
Explore your finances
Model your expenses, project your wealth, and find your path to financial independence, using the pay figures above.
Financial independence
- In today's money, you'll have at least £21,600 / year (£1,800 / month) when you stop working at 66 - just from your savings
- In real terms, that's £38,340 / year (£3,195 / month)
- That means all your outgoings are covered without having to make any further contributions!
- You may be able to retire earlier - try adjusting the retirement age field
Where your £3,125 a month goes
- Essentials£1,750
- Everything else£500
- Tax and NI£547
- Pension£125
- Left to invest in your ISA£203
Projected wealth
Estimated income over 50 years, in today's money, with a 5% annual return and 0.35% yearly platform and fund fees.
Projected pension
Your pension pot over 31 years at three growth rates, after 0.35% fees, in today's money.
Calculations
- FI Target = Annual outgoings (£21,600) * Years needed for 4.00% SWR (25.00) = £540,000
- Invested annual pension = £3,000
- Invested annual surplus = £2,441
- Inflation of 2.5% / year
- Assumes New State Pension, payments increasing with inflation (2.5% / year)
- Assumes student loans last 30 years max
- Assumes a flex-drawdown pension for illustration purposes
- Assumes you draw down pension up to the higher rate bracket (£50,270), then draw down your S&S ISA
- Pension lump sums are not included