How Much Do Teachers Earn?

Teaching is an exciting, fulfilling, and yet demanding career. There are many types of jobs available with classroom teachers delivering education on almost all subject matters. Furthermore, a career in teaching has many levels and avenues, including working as unqualified teachers, primary school teachers, secondary school teachers, early career teachers, supply teachers, and lead practitioners. 

So, if you are a student considering becoming a teacher, a newly qualified teacher, or have qualified teacher status, our career advice is invaluable in understanding teacher pay scales, average salary, and how to earn more. 

Quick Links:

• How Much Teachers Get Paid - Teacher Salaries

• How Much Teaching Jobs Pay

• How To Earn More As A Teacher

• How Much Teachers Earn FAQs

Highlights And Key Takeaways:

1. All qualified teachers have a starting salary of at least £28,000, with Inner London, Outer London, and teachers in private schools securing additional payments and a higher average teacher salary, compared to the standard teacher salary.

HOW MUCH TEACHERS GET PAID - TEACHER SALARIES

Here are the teacher salaries for the most popular teaching jobs:

NURSERY TEACHER PAY

The average salary of a Nursery Teacher is £24,100 per year. Nursery Teachers plan and deliver lessons that promote early development in young children, assess students' progress, share feedback with parents, and collaborate with other teachers and caregivers to create a nurturing and safe learning environment.

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NURSERY WORKER PAY

The average salary of a Nursery Worker is £22,100 per year. Nursery Workers assist in the daily care and supervision of young children, help create and maintain a safe and stimulating learning environment, prepare meals and snacks, changes diapers and helps with toilet training, and communicates with parents about their children's daily activities and progress.

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KEY STAGE ONE TEACHER PAY

The average salary of a Key Stage One Teacher is £37,200 per year. Key Stage One Teachers create engaging lesson plans that help young children learn reading, writing, math, and other subjects, monitor students' progress and adapt teaching strategies as needed. This teaching position also communicates regularly with parents and caregivers, and creates a positive and inclusive classroom culture.

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TEACHERS AND INSTRUCTOR PAY

The average salary of a Teachers and Instructors is £34,300 per year. Teachers and Instructors provide instruction and support to students of all ages and in a variety of subjects, design curriculum and lesson plans that align with educational standards and promote student learning, assess student progress and provide feedback, communicate with parents and caregivers, and support student emotional and social development.

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SCIENCE TEACHER PAY

The average salary of a Science Teacher is £40,100 per year. Science Teachers teach biology, chemistry, physics, or other science subjects to secondary school students, create lesson plans that align with educational standards and promote student learning, develop and administer exams and assessments, provide feedback to students and parents, and support student research projects and scientific inquiry.

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SUPPLY TEACHER PAY

The average salary of a Supply Teacher is £32,100 per year. Supply Teachers fill in for other teachers who are absent due to illness, professional development, or other reasons, teach lessons that align with the curriculum and educational standards, provide feedback to students and caregivers, manage classroom behaviour and maintain a positive learning environment.

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KEY STAGE TWO TEACHER PAY

The average salary of a Key Stage Two Teacher is £38,000 per year. Key Stage Two Teaches create engaging lesson plans that help students learn reading, writing, math, and other subjects, adapt teaching strategies as needed to support student learning, monitor student progress and provide feedback to caregivers, and promote positive social and emotional development in students.

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MATHS TEACHER PAY

The average salary of a Math Teacher is £39,600 per year. Math Teachers teach math subjects to secondary school students, develop lesson plans and instructional materials that align with educational standards and promote student learning, and provide individualised instruction and support to students who need additional help.

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TEACHER ASSISTANT PAY

The average salary of a Teacher Assistant is £25,200 per year. Teacher Assistants support the work of classroom teachers by helping with tasks such as lesson preparation, grading, and student supervision, working with individual students or small groups to provide additional instruction and support, communicating with parents and caregivers, and helping maintain a safe and positive classroom.

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ENGLISH TEACHER PAY

The average salary of an English Teacher is £38,400 per year. English Teachers teach English language and literature subjects to secondary school students, create lesson plans and promote student learning, provide feedback on student writing and other assignments, and support student reading comprehension and critical thinking skills.

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PRIMARY SCHOOL ART TEACHER PAY

The average salary of a Primary School Art Teacher is £36,500 per year. Primary School Art Teachers teach art subjects to children in primary schools, promote creativity and self-expression, provide instruction on techniques and art history, support student development of fine motor skills, and help create a positive and inclusive classroom culture.

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HUMANITIES TEACHER PAY

The average salary of a Humanities Teacher is £39,900 per year. Humanities Teachers teach subjects such as history, geography, and social studies to secondary school students, create engaging lesson plans, provide feedback on student assignments and projects, and support student research and critical thinking skills.

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PRIMARY SCHOOL RECEPTION TEACHER PAY

The average salary of a Primary School Reception Teacher is £35,600 per year. Primary School Reception Teachers teach children aged 4-5 in the early years of primary school, create lesson plans that promote social, emotional, and academic development, assess student progress and provide feedback to caregivers, and support student transitions to formal schooling.

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HOW MUCH DO TEACHING JOBS PAY?

All qualified teachers have a starting salary of at least £28,000, with Inner London and Outer London educators securing a higher starting qualified teacher salary. Many schools in England and Wales have their own pay scales for qualified teachers, where pay increases are determined by performance and not the length of service.

However, the national pay scale for qualified teachers sets the minimum and maximum teacher salaries. In addition, there is an upper pay scale for teachers who demonstrate excellence across all teacher standards. The upper pay range for leading practitioners has a minimum and maximum salary level and provides a national framework for regions, such as excluding London, London fringe, Outer London, and Inner London.

There are other pay scales for teachers in England and Wales that may also apply. For those who have not obtained qualified teacher status, there is an unqualified teacher salary, with lower and upper pay ranges. There is a headteacher salary upper pay range and other benefits, such as Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR) payments. Early career teachers enjoy benefits such as mentorship and paid time away from the classroom for professional development.

Full-time teachers receive more days of holiday than full-time workers in other professions. The competitive salary is also coupled with a pension scheme based on salary and the teachers' pension scheme is HM Revenue and Customs registered, so your contributions are tax-free.

As part of ongoing efforts to maintain high standards of academic integrity, many schools and educational institutions now require teachers to use an online plagiarism checker when assessing student assignments. These tools are essential in identifying instances of copied or unoriginal content, ensuring that students are held accountable for their work and encouraging the development of critical thinking and writing skills. Furthermore, the use of an online plagiarism checker can help protect the reputation of the school and its educators, as it demonstrates a commitment to fostering a learning environment where intellectual honesty is valued and upheld.

HOW TO EARN MORE AS A TEACHER

We recommend following our education career advice to advance your career and earn more as a teacher and move up the main pay scale. Our career advice resources include free CV templates and advice on how to ask for a pay rise.

You may earn a higher teacher salary in the education sector through:

• Age: Teachers earn more as they gain maximum experience, which usually occurs in the age bracket of 40-49

• Geographical location: Teacher salary varies by region, so we recommend checking the average salary for areas such as Northern Ireland, Inner London, and cities excluding London across England and Wales

• Qualifications and skills: Your education and earning new qualifications, certifications, and associations can help you secure a pay rise or an internal or external promotion

If you seek one of the highest-paid jobs in the UK, begin your job search here.

Regional Cost of Living Comparison

For teachers aspiring to enhance their earnings, making a regional cost of living comparison is crucial. Delving into how the average teacher salary, within the context of teacher pay scales and the main pay scale, aligns with the cost of living across different regions, offers invaluable insights. A focused analysis empowers educators with the knowledge to make informed decisions about where they can maximise their financial well-being, potentially uncovering opportunities in regions where their salary would have a greater impact against local living expenses.

Career Progression Opportunities

For teachers aiming to elevate their careers and earnings, exploring career progression opportunities is pivotal. The path to advancement often involves taking on teaching and learning responsibilities, which can lead to a pay rise. Engaging with additional responsibilities showcases the dedication and aligns with the UK government and local authorities frameworks for teacher development. This progression can significantly affect an unqualified teacher's salary, transitioning them to higher pay scales and opening doors to senior roles within the educational sector.

Impact of Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

The impact of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is paramount for educators seeking to ascend the career ladder, from unqualified teachers to positions that command the upper pay scale. CPD enables teachers to broaden their expertise and qualifications, potentially earning a higher annual salary. This investment in personal development is recognised across various educational settings, including independent and non-maintained schools, where the pay range and additional payments may reflect teachers' enhanced skills and contributions. Engaging in CPD elevates the standard teacher salary and positions educators for more lucrative teaching roles, marking a strategic approach to career advancement.

Work-Life Balance Insights

Most teachers, whether in private schools or public schools, face unique challenges that impact their ability to balance professional responsibilities with personal life. The distinction between these settings often influences workload, with private schools sometimes offering different expectations around extracurricular involvement and parental engagement. This section aims to provide teachers with strategies to manage these demands effectively, ensuring they can maintain a healthy work-life balance while pursuing their teaching careers.

HOW MUCH TEACHERS EARN FAQS

Here we answer your questions on teachers salaries and pay.

HOW MUCH ARE UK TEACHERS PAID?

The salaries of UK teachers vary depending on their experience, qualifications, and location. According to government data, the average salary for a full-time teacher in the UK is around £40,000 per year.

ARE TEACHERS WELL-PAID IN THE UK?

Whether teachers are considered well-paid in the UK is a matter of perspective. Some people believe that teachers are paid well, while others believe that they are not paid enough given the importance of their role in educating the next generation. Generally, UK teachers' salaries are considered to be on par with those of other professionals in similar roles.

HOW MUCH DOES A YEAR 1 TEACHER EARN UK?

A Year 1 teacher in the UK typically earns between £24,373 and £35,971 per year. This salary can increase depending on the teacher's experience, location, and other factors.

HOW MUCH DOES A SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHER EARN IN THE UK?

Secondary school teachers in the UK earn an average salary of £43,835 per year. However, this salary can vary depending on the teacher's subject specialism, location, and level of experience. Some secondary school teachers may earn more or less than this amount.

HOW MUCH DO UK ENGLISH TEACHERS GET PAID?

In the UK, English teachers' salaries typically range between £31,338 and £47,382 annually. This reflects the diverse compensation across different regions and experience levels.

WHAT IS THE SALARY FOR A NEWLY QUALIFIED TEACHER IN THE UK?

For those entering the profession, newly qualified teachers can anticipate a starting salary from £20,696 per year. These figures address common inquiries about "how much do teachers get paid in the UK," "how much do teachers make," and "how much do teachers earn in the UK," offering a comprehensive overview of the financial landscape for educators.

ALL TEACHER SALARIES

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