Teacher Pay Scales Explained
The teacher pay scales for 2026/27 set out what qualified teachers earn in England and Wales. New teachers start on M1 at £34,068 and progress annually through the main pay scale to M6 at £46,939. After passing the threshold assessment, experienced teachers move onto the upper pay scale, topping out at UPS3 at £52,835.
The figures above show monthly take home pay after income tax and National Insurance. For example, an M4 teacher on £40,940 takes home £2,750/month, while an M5 teacher on £43,529 takes home £2,905/month. For a broader look at how teaching compares to other careers, see our teaching salaries UK guide.
Full Teacher Pay Scale 2026/27 (Gross & Take-Home)
Every classroom teacher pay point for the rest of England and Wales (outside London), showing the gross salary and the monthly take-home after income tax and National Insurance:
| Pay Point | Gross Salary | Take Home/Year | Take Home/Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| M1 (Main Scale 1) | £34,068 | £28,049 | £2,337 |
| M2 (Main Scale 2) | £36,042 | £29,470 | £2,456 |
| M3 (Main Scale 3) | £38,400 | £31,168 | £2,597 |
| M4 (Main Scale 4) | £40,940 | £32,996 | £2,750 |
| M5 (Main Scale 5) | £43,529 | £34,860 | £2,905 |
| M6 (Main Scale 6) | £46,939 | £37,316 | £3,110 |
| UPS1 (Upper Pay Scale 1) | £49,134 | £38,896 | £3,241 |
| UPS2 (Upper Pay Scale 2) | £50,955 | £40,111 | £3,343 |
| UPS3 (Upper Pay Scale 3) | £52,835 | £41,202 | £3,433 |
Take-home figures are after income tax and National Insurance only (2025/26 tax thresholds, frozen to 2028) and do not deduct the Teachers' Pension contribution — see the pension section below for the after-pension figure. Leadership pay (L1–L43) runs from £53,585 to £143,796; the most common leadership points are listed in the take-home grid above.
Teacher Pay by Region
Teacher pay varies by location. Schools in and around London pay higher rates to reflect the cost of living. Here are the main pay scale ranges for 2026/27:
| Region | M1 Salary | UPS3 Salary | Allowance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rest of England & Wales | £34,068 | £52,835 | Base rate |
| London Fringe | £35,602 | £54,327 | +£1,534 on M1 |
| Outer London | £39,195 | £58,119 | +£5,127 on M1 |
| Inner London | £41,728 | £64,683 | +£7,660 on M1 |
Inner London teachers on M1 earn over £7,000 more than their counterparts outside London. Even the London Fringe supplement adds roughly £1,000-£1,300. These regional differences are set by the School Teachers' Review Body (STRB).
Where Teacher Pay Sits Nationally
A UPS3 or leadership teacher earns well above the UK median. See where teacher salaries rank against every UK earner and how the next career step compares:
Teachers' Pension Scheme
All teachers contribute to the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS). Employee contributions are tiered from 7.4% of salary for the lowest earners, rising to 11.7% for the highest. The employer contributes 28.68%, making TPS one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK. A teacher on M1 pays roughly £210/month in pension contributions, while a UPS3 teacher pays around £436/month — but the guaranteed career-average benefit is worth far more than the contribution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the teacher pay scale for 2026/27?
The teacher pay scale for 2026/27 in England & Wales (outside London) starts at £34,068 for M1 and rises to £52,835 at UPS3. Leadership pay ranges from £53,585 (L1) to £143,796 (L43). Teachers progress through six main scale points (M1-M6), then three upper pay scale points (UPS1-UPS3).
How much do teachers take home after tax?
An M1 teacher on £34,068 takes home approximately £2,337 per month after tax and National Insurance. A UPS3 teacher on £52,835 takes home approximately £3,433 per month. Pension contributions of 7.4% reduce take home further. See each pay point above for exact monthly figures.
Do teachers pay into a pension?
Yes, all teachers automatically contribute to the Teachers' Pension Scheme. Employee contributions range from 7.4% to 11.7% of salary depending on earnings. The employer contributes 28.68%, making it one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK.
What is the highest teacher pay scale?
The highest teacher pay point is Leadership L43 at £143,796 per year. However, most classroom teachers top out at UPS3 which pays £52,835 in England & Wales outside London. Moving beyond UPS3 requires taking on a leadership role such as head of department or headteacher.
Related Guides
Explore more about teacher pay and UK salaries:
Calculate your exact take home pay with pension deductions
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