Starting Salary for Teachers in England 2026/27

If you are considering a career in teaching or comparing job offers, understanding the starting salary for teachers is essential. From September 2026, qualified teachers in England will see a minimum starting salary of £34,069 per year (excluding London), following a 3.5% pay award recommended by the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB). This article breaks down the latest pay scales, London weighting, hourly equivalents, and how teacher pay compares with the National Living Wage.

Teacher Pay Scales from September 2026

The Department for Education, via GOV.UK Get Into Teaching, publishes the official pay ranges. The main pay range for qualified teachers starts at M1 (minimum) and progresses to M6. From September 2026, the values are:

• M1 (minimum): £34,069 (Rest of England), £35,602 (London fringe), £39,196 (Outer London), £41,729 (Inner London)
• M6 (maximum): £46,940 (Rest of England)
• Upper pay range U1 (minimum): £49,134 (Rest of England)
• U3 (maximum): £52,835 (Rest of England)

These figures are also confirmed by the NASUWT pay scales page. The STRB’s 36th report (2026) recommended these increases, with a further 3.0% rise planned for September 2027.

London Weighting and Regional Variations

London weighting is a crucial factor. The four zones reflect different living costs:

• Inner London: highest premium – starting salary £41,729
• Outer London: £39,196
• London fringe: £35,602
• Rest of England: £34,069

After five years, a typical teacher in the Rest of England could earn at least £46,960, while Inner London teachers would be higher. The average teacher salary across England is projected to exceed £52,800 from September 2026.

Hourly Rate Considerations for Teachers

Converting the annual starting salary to an hourly rate requires understanding the contracted hours. The STPCD sets a directed time ceiling of 1,265 hours over 195 days, equivalent to about 32.5 hours per week. Using this assumption:

• Rest of England: £34,069 ÷ (32.5 × 52) ≈ £20.16 per hour
• Inner London: £41,729 ÷ (32.5 × 52) ≈ £24.69 per hour

However, the IDR Research report for NASUWT notes that teachers report working an average of 52.4 hours per week during term time. If you calculate the hourly rate based on actual hours, the effective rate drops significantly. For example, at 52.4 hours per week, the Rest of England starting salary equates to about £12.50 per hour – close to the National Living Wage. This discrepancy is important for job seekers comparing hourly roles with salaried teaching positions.

Comparison with National Living Wage

The National Living Wage (NLW) for workers aged 21 and over in 2026/27 is £12.71 per hour. At a standard 37.5-hour week, that gives an annual equivalent of about £24,784.50. The starting salary for teachers is well above this on a contracted-hours basis, but when actual hours are considered, the gap narrows. The STRB report highlighted a compliance risk for unqualified teachers, whose minimum salary (£23,732) could fall below NLW equivalence if working hours are high.

Career Progression and Future Pay

Teachers typically move up the pay range annually, subject to performance management. After five years, a teacher in the Rest of England can expect at least £46,960. The upper pay range (U1-U3) offers further progression, with U3 reaching £52,835 from September 2026. From September 2027, the minimum starting salary will rise to £35,092 (Rest of England), and the average teacher salary will exceed £54,400.

Using the Salary Converter

If you are comparing an hourly job offer with a teaching salary, use our Hourly to Salary calculator to see the annual equivalent. For example, an hourly rate of £20.16 at 32.5 hours per week gives £34,069 per year. But remember that teaching often involves unpaid overtime – our salary articles explore this further.

Summary

The starting salary for teachers in England from September 2026 is £34,069 (Rest of England), with London premiums adding up to £7,660. While the annual figure looks competitive, the effective hourly rate depends heavily on actual hours worked. For unqualified teachers, the minimum is lower at £23,732. Always check your contract and official guidance from GOV.UK. For more data on UK pay benchmarks, visit our salary data page.