Teacher pay scales and take-home pay at a glance
In England and Wales, classroom teacher salaries for 2024/25 span from £30,000 at Main 1 (M1) to £46,525 at Upper 3 (UPR3). After deducting an 11.7% Teachers Pension contribution, PAYE income tax, and employee National Insurance, estimated monthly take-home pay ranges from £1,859 to £2,722.
The table below provides starting and upper salaries alongside deductions and take-home pay for every advisory pay point on the main and upper pay ranges. Figures reflect statutory rates published by the Department for Education in the School Teachers Pay and Conditions Document 2024.
| Pay point | Pay range | Gross salary | Teachers Pension (11.7%) | Income tax | National Insurance | Take-home a year | A month | A week | A day | An hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main 1 (M1) | Main pay range | £30,000 | £3,510 | £2,784 | £1,394 | £22,312 | £1,859 | £429 | £86 | £11 |
| Main 2 (M2) | Main pay range | £31,737 | £3,713 | £3,091 | £1,533 | £23,400 | £1,950 | £450 | £90 | £12 |
| Main 3 (M3) | Main pay range | £33,478 | £3,917 | £3,398 | £1,673 | £24,490 | £2,041 | £471 | £94 | £13 |
| Main 4 (M4) | Main pay range | £35,218 | £4,121 | £3,705 | £1,812 | £25,580 | £2,132 | £492 | £98 | £13 |
| Main 5 (M5) | Main pay range | £37,444 | £4,381 | £4,099 | £1,990 | £26,975 | £2,248 | £519 | £104 | £14 |
| Main 6 (M6) | Main pay range | £41,333 | £4,836 | £4,785 | £2,301 | £29,411 | £2,451 | £566 | £113 | £15 |
| Upper 1 (UPR1) | Upper pay range | £43,266 | £5,062 | £5,127 | £2,456 | £30,621 | £2,552 | £589 | £118 | £16 |
| Upper 2 (UPR2) | Upper pay range | £44,870 | £5,250 | £5,410 | £2,584 | £31,626 | £2,636 | £608 | £122 | £16 |
| Upper 3 (UPR3) | Upper pay range | £46,525 | £5,443 | £5,702 | £2,716 | £32,663 | £2,722 | £628 | £126 | £17 |
How teacher pay and deductions work
The School Teachers Pay and Conditions Document establishes advisory pay points across two primary pay scales for classroom teachers in England and Wales: the main pay range and the upper pay range.
Three main statutory deductions determine net salary: Teachers Pension Scheme contributions, PAYE income tax and Class 1 employee National Insurance.
Teachers Pension Scheme contributions: Under the Teachers Pension Scheme, an employee contribution rate of 11.7% applies to these salary points. Pension contributions operate under net pay arrangements, which means deductions come off gross earnings before income tax is calculated. This provides immediate income tax relief at your marginal tax rate. To calculate your accrued pension benefits over time, visit our teachers pension calculator.
Income tax and National Insurance: Income tax applies to taxable pay above the £12,570 personal allowance, charged at the basic rate of 20% on income up to £50,270. Employee National Insurance is charged on gross earnings without deduction for pension contributions, levied at 8% between £12,570 and £50,270.
Pay progression and moving to the upper pay range
Classroom teachers commence on Main 1 (M1) and advance through the main pay range (M1 to M6) following annual appraisal reviews. Advancement is linked to performance and teacher standards determined by the individual school governing body.
Upon reaching Main 6 (M6), teachers become eligible to apply for threshold assessment to progress to the upper pay range (UPR1 to UPR3). To succeed, an applicant must demonstrate that they are highly competent in all elements of the relevant standards and that their achievements and contribution to the school are substantial and sustained.
Additional allowances and personalising your calculation
The figures above represent basic national pay for full-time teachers outside London. Teachers working in the London fringe, outer London and inner London receive higher basic pay rates to reflect higher costs of living.
Teachers may also qualify for supplementary allowances such as Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR) payments, Special Educational Needs (SEN) allowances, or payments for extra-curricular activities. If you work part-time hours, receive allowances or repay a student loan, calculate your exact net pay with our take-home pay calculator.
Devolved administrations
These pay scales apply to maintained schools in England and Wales for the 2024/25 academic year, effective 1 September 2024. Scotland and Northern Ireland operate separate school systems with devolved pay negotiations, independent salary spines and distinct terms and conditions.
Scottish teachers are also subject to Scottish income tax rates and bands set by the Scottish Parliament, which causes take-home pay to differ from teachers in England and Wales on identical gross salaries.