PE teacher salary in the UK: regional and seniority differences

Understanding the PE teacher salary in the UK requires looking beyond a single figure. Pay varies significantly by region, seniority, and the actual hours worked. This article breaks down the latest official pay scales, explains how to convert annual salary to an hourly rate, and highlights the differences that matter most to teachers and job seekers.

What does a PE teacher earn?

Qualified PE teachers in England are paid on the same national pay scales as all other subject teachers in maintained schools. From September 2026, the minimum starting salary outside London is £34,069. With London weighting, this rises to:

• London fringe: £35,602
• Outer London: £39,196
• Inner London: £41,729

These figures come from GOV.UK Get Into Teaching. The upper pay range (U3) maximum outside London is £52,835, while inner London reaches £64,684. Most teachers move up the pay range annually, with a typical teacher earning at least £46,960 after five years.

For those taking on extra responsibilities, Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR) payments can add between £7,000 and £17,819 depending on the role. A head of PE typically receives a TLR2 payment, while a director of sport may attract TLR1. The average teacher salary across England is projected to be over £52,800 from September 2026.

Hourly equivalent of a PE teacher salary

To convert an annual salary to an hourly rate, use the formula: annual ÷ (hours per week × 52). However, the number of hours a teacher works is not straightforward.

Teachers in maintained schools have a directed time contract of 32.5 hours per week (term-time only, but paid over 52 weeks). Using this figure, a teacher on M4 (£40,940) earns approximately £24 per hour. But the reality is different. A Department for Education survey found that teachers report working 52.4 hours per week on average during term time. Using realistic hours, the effective hourly rate drops to £16–£18. If you annualise over 39 term-time weeks, the rate is around £22 per hour on realistic totals.

This distinction matters for job seekers comparing roles. The Hourly to Salary converter on this site uses a standard 37.5-hour week for general comparisons, but teachers should adjust for their actual hours.

Regional differences: London weighting

London weighting is a key factor in PE teacher salary. The uplift reflects higher living costs and varies by zone:

• Inner London: Adds about £7,660 to the minimum and £11,849 to the upper maximum compared to outside London.
• Outer London: Adds about £5,127 to the minimum.
• London fringe: Adds about £1,533 to the minimum.

These differences can make a significant impact on take-home pay. For example, a teacher at the top of the main scale (M6, £46,939 outside London) would earn £58,120 in outer London and £64,024 in inner London. When considering a move, factor in both the salary uplift and the cost of housing and commuting.

Seniority and progression

The pay scale for teachers runs from M1 (newly qualified) to M6 (top of main scale), then U1 to U3 (upper pay range). Most teachers move up one point each year subject to performance management. Typical milestones:

• ECT year 1 (M1): £34,068
• Mid-career (M4–M5): £40,940 – £43,529
• Top of main scale (M6): £46,939
• Upper pay range ceiling (U3): £52,835

Beyond the classroom, leadership roles such as head of PE or director of sport attract TLR payments. A head of PE on U1 with a TLR2 of £7,000 could earn around £56,000, while a director of sport on U2/U3 with TLR1 of £12,000 could exceed £63,500.

How does PE teacher pay compare to UK median?

According to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) for April 2025, the median gross annual earnings for full-time employees in the UK were £39,039, with median hourly pay (excluding overtime) at £19.67. A starting PE teacher salary of £34,069 is below the median, but after a few years on the main scale, pay matches or exceeds it. The National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.21 per hour (2025), rising to £12.71 in 2026/27. At 37.5 hours per week, that equates to about £24,785 annually. PE teacher pay is well above the minimum wage, but the long hours and term-time workload mean the effective hourly rate can be lower than in some other graduate professions.

Caveats and considerations

• Actual hours: The 32.5-hour directed time contract is a floor, not a ceiling. Many teachers work evenings and weekends, especially in PE with after-school clubs and fixtures.
• Pension: Teachers' Pension Scheme requires a contribution of 7.4% of salary, with employer contributions of 28.6%. This is a valuable benefit but reduces take-home pay.
• Tax and NI: Use the salary articles on this site to estimate net pay after income tax and National Insurance.
• Side income: PE teachers often earn extra through private coaching, sports camps, or exam marking. This income is not included in official salary figures.
• School type: Academies and independent schools may set their own pay scales, which can be higher or lower than the maintained school ranges.

Summary

The PE teacher salary in the UK ranges from about £34,000 to £53,000 on the main and upper pay scales, with London weighting adding up to £11,000+. Seniority and extra responsibilities can push total compensation above £64,000 in inner London. However, the effective hourly rate depends heavily on actual working hours, which are often far above the contracted 32.5 hours. For a personalised calculation, use the hourly calculator on this site, and always check your contract for directed time and holiday entitlement.

For more UK salary benchmarks, explore our salary data pages covering a wide range of occupations.