About M1 (Main Scale 1)
NQT starting salary. First year of teaching.
These are England & Wales rates outside London. Inner London, Outer London, and London Fringe areas have higher pay scales.
All Teacher Pay Points
| Scale Point | Salary | Take Home/Month |
|---|---|---|
| M1 (Main Scale 1) | £31,650 | £2,192 |
| M2 (Main Scale 2) | £33,483 | £2,302 |
| M3 (Main Scale 3) | £35,389 | £2,417 |
| M4 (Main Scale 4) | £37,322 | £2,533 |
| M5 (Main Scale 5) | £39,483 | £2,662 |
| M6 (Main Scale 6) | £41,333 | £2,773 |
| UPS1 (Upper Pay Scale 1) | £44,870 | £2,986 |
| UPS2 (Upper Pay Scale 2) | £46,525 | £3,085 |
| UPS3 (Upper Pay Scale 3) | £48,532 | £3,205 |
| Leadership L1 | £50,122 | £3,301 |
| Leadership L10 | £60,488 | £3,803 |
| Leadership L20 | £74,283 | £4,470 |
| Leadership L30 | £90,773 | £5,267 |
Teachers' Pension
Teachers contribute 7.4% to 11.7% to the Teachers' Pension Scheme depending on salary. This reduces take home pay but provides one of the best defined benefit pensions available.
Teacher Pay: Main Scale M1
M1 is the starting point on the Main Pay Scale for newly qualified teachers (NQTs) outside London. Progression from M1 to M2 is based on annual performance management reviews. The Teachers' Pension Scheme (28.68% employer contribution) adds approximately £7,372/year in value on top of your salary — making the total compensation package significantly more valuable than the headline figure suggests.
Total Compensation at £25,714
The headline salary of £25,714 does not capture the full value of a teaching package. The Teachers' Pension employer contribution adds approximately £7,374/year. Combined with term-time working (13 weeks holiday versus 5.6 weeks minimum for other workers), the effective value is substantially higher than comparable private sector salaries. See £25,714 salary after tax for the take home breakdown.
Calculate exact take home with pension deductions
Full salary calculator →