Understanding the DfE MAT CEO Salary Review

The DfE MAT CEO salary review is a key topic for anyone tracking executive pay in academy trusts. The Department for Education has clarified that pay rises for chief executives and other senior leaders in multi-academy trusts must not exceed the average percentage increase awarded to teachers within the same trust. This links executive compensation directly to classroom teacher pay awards, such as the 3.5% increase recommended by the School Teachers’ Review Body for September 2026.

For job seekers and employees comparing hourly rates with annual salaries, understanding these benchmarks is essential. This article explains how to convert between hourly and annual pay, places the DfE review in context, and highlights the latest UK wage data from official sources.

Hourly to Annual Conversion Basics

A common rule of thumb is: annual salary ≈ hourly rate × contracted hours per week × 52 weeks. For a standard full-time role of 37.5 hours per week, the multiplier is 1,950 hours per year. For example, the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over was £12.21 per hour in April 2025. At 37.5 hours per week, that equates to roughly £23,810 per year. The median full-time employee in the UK earned £39,039 annually in April 2025, according to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), which works out at about £20.02 per hour.

Always check your contract for exact hours, overtime rules, and any London weighting or location allowances. The Hourly to Salary tool on this site lets you run your own conversions.

What the DfE Review Means for CEO Pay

The DfE’s guidance on MAT executive pay, reported by Tes, requires trusts to calculate the average percentage pay rise received by teachers – including pay progression and other changes – and ensure that executive pay does not increase by more than that figure. The DfE will assess the entire remuneration package: salary, allowances, pension arrangements, benefits, and salary-sacrifice schemes. Performance-related pay is assessed separately.

This review aims to ensure that executive pay is justified and proportionate. The latest salary survey from the Confederation of School Trusts (CST) shows that median CEO basic salary in 2025 was £149,790, with total cash earnings of £151,203. CEOs in London earned a median of £164,851. For trusts with more than 7,500 pupils, the average CEO salary was £204,548, according to the Kreston UK Academies Benchmark Report 2026.

Benchmarks and Comparisons

To put these figures in perspective, the top of the maintained school headteacher pay range for inner London is £153,490. Many trust CEOs earn below that level despite overseeing multiple schools. The DfE review also requires trusts to benchmark CEO pay against comparable organisations and consider what the previous postholder earned.

For hourly workers, the National Living Wage and median earnings provide a baseline. The ONS ASHE 2025 bulletin confirms that median hourly earnings for full-time employees (excluding overtime) were £19.67. Low-paid occupations saw increases close to the NLW rise of 6.7% in April 2025.

Practical Conversion Examples

• National Living Wage (2025 rate): £12.21/hr × 37.5 hrs × 52 weeks = £23,809.50 per year.
• Median full-time employee: £39,039 per year ÷ 52 ÷ 37.5 = £20.02 per hour.
• Median MAT CEO: £149,790 per year ÷ 52 ÷ 37.5 = £76.82 per hour.

These conversions assume a steady 37.5-hour week with no unpaid overtime. In reality, CEO roles often involve additional hours and responsibilities not captured by a simple hourly rate. For more detailed analysis, explore our salary articles and salary data pages.

Key Takeaways

The DfE MAT CEO salary review ties executive pay rises to teacher pay awards, promoting fairness and transparency. For anyone converting hourly rates to annual salaries, remember that assumptions about hours and weeks matter. Official sources like ONS ASHE and GOV.UK provide the most reliable benchmarks. Always consult your contract and seek professional advice for personal financial decisions.