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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting NQT salary 2026/27?
The starting NQT (newly qualified teacher) salary for 2026/27 is £31,650 per year in England and Wales (outside London). Inner London NQTs start on approximately £36,745. After tax and National Insurance, take home on the starting salary is £2,192 per month or £26,308 per year.
Is M1 the same as NQT salary?
Yes, M1 (Main Pay Scale point 1) is the NQT starting salary. All newly qualified teachers in England and Wales begin on M1 unless their school chooses to offer a higher starting point. M1 is £31,650 for 2026/27 outside London.
Your Career Progression: M1 to UPS3
Here is the typical teacher pay journey from NQT to the top of the Upper Pay Scale:
| Stage | Scale Point | Salary | Take Home/Month | Typical Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NQT | M1 | £31,650 | £2,192 | Year 1 |
| Early career | M2 | £33,483 | £2,302 | Year 2 |
| Developing | M3 | £35,389 | £2,417 | Year 3 |
| Established | M4 | £37,322 | £2,533 | Year 4 |
| Experienced | M5 | £39,483 | £2,662 | Year 5 |
| Top of main scale | M6 | £41,333 | £2,773 | Year 6 |
| Senior practitioner | UPS1 | £44,870 | £2,986 | Year 7+ |
| Advanced | UPS2 | £46,525 | £3,085 | Year 9+ |
| Top of UPS | UPS3 | £48,532 | £3,205 | Year 11+ |
From M1 to UPS3, your take home pay increases by £1,013 per month — a 46% rise. Progression through M1-M6 is largely automatic with satisfactory performance reviews, while moving to UPS requires a formal application demonstrating significant impact.
Related Pages
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