How Much Does a Teacher Earn?

Beyond parents and caregivers, Teachers arguably have the greatest influence on a child's life. Helping shape young minds and mentoring children to reach their potential is a huge privilege, making teaching an exciting, challenging, and hugely rewarding career. But how much does a Teacher earn exactly? 

In our latest insights piece, we delve into the salaries of various job roles within the education sector. 

Teacher pay scales

Teacher pay scales in England and Wales are set according to the School Teachers Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD), which applies to all Local Authority schools. Classroom Teacher salaries fall into the main or upper pay ranges, depending on performance (or years in service in Scotland). Pay scales are higher in London and different again in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Private schools don't follow the national pay scales.

Let's take a closer look at the pay scales for the various stages of the teaching pathway:

Teacher pay London

The main pay scales for qualified classroom Teachers in London are as follows:

Unqualified Teacher salaries

As the name suggests, an unqualified Teacher hasn't yet achieved Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Most state schools require Teachers to have QTS, though many will allow Teachers to train on the job towards gaining QTS as part of a programme, such as Teach First or School Direct. However, Teachers without QTS are free to teach in many independent schools, academies, and free schools in England.

Unqualified Teacher salary ranges in England and Wales are as follows:

• England (excluding London) – £19,340 to £30,172
• London Fringe – £20,594 to £31,421
• Outer London – £22,924 to £33,759
• Inner London – £24,254 to £35,081

Qualified Teacher salaries

Schools tend to have their own pay scales, which enable Teachers to move up their pay scale according to performance rather than length of service (except in Scotland). However, those pay scales are still based on the national pay scales, which are split into the main and upper pay ranges. 

For example, a newly qualified Teacher (NQT) will start at the bottom of the main range and can work their way to the top of the upper range if they can demonstrate excellence against all Teacher standards.

Main pay ranges

The main pay scales for qualified classroom Teachers in England and Wales are as follows:

Headteacher salaries

The most senior person in the school is the Headteacher; with a wide-ranging role that includes maintaining the standards of education children receive and motivating Teachers to reach these goals, Headteacher salaries reflect their status and many responsibilities. As such, Headteachers command the highest salaries of all teaching roles, with state school pay usually based on the age and number of children enrolled.

Here are the current Headteacher pay scales in England and Wales:

Extra payments and benefits

As well as extensive holidays and entry into the generous Teacher's Pension Scheme, many Teachers can supplement their salaries through extra payments for taking on additional responsibilities. These so-called “teaching and learning responsibility” (TLR) payments come in two main pay ranges: 

TLR payments are commensurate to "progressing the education of people beyond your assigned pupils" or "leading, developing and enhancing the teaching practice of others." A special education needs (SEN) allowance is also available for qualified Teachers of SEN pupils. SEN allowance payments range between £2,384 and £4,703 per annum.

Latest Teacher jobs at Spencer Clarke Group

If you’re searching for your next Teacher job, why not take a look at all the opportunities available with Spencer Clarke Group now? 

Alternatively, why not upload your CV or speak with one of our specialist consultants who can discuss any upcoming opportunities. We work with hundreds of schools across the UK and can offer a range of opportunities including temporary, permanent and to temp-perm positions.  

If you're considering a career in teaching, why not check out top tips on how to get into teaching. 

Who is Spencer Clarke Group? 

Since 2017, we've been changing the face of recruitment. From our employees, to the way we do business, to the culture within our office, we're determined to make a difference and create a positive impact on everyone around us.

Recruitment to us isn't just about matching candidates and clients; we’re passionate about finding candidates the perfect job which has the ability to boost their salary and standard of living, better their work life balance and improve their mental health. 

Similarly, we understand the impact which an experienced and skilled employee can make to a business and we love seeing clients thrive through the hard work of candidates which we have placed with them. 

We operate in two sectors:

Private Sector

Public Sector 

In eleven specialisms:

Accountancy & Finance

Education & SEND

Construction, Trades & Labour

Healthcare, Social Care & Nursing

Housing

Corporate Functions & Business Support

HR & Workforce Development

IT & Digital

Property & Asset Management  

Planning, Development & Regeneration 

Highways, Infrastructure & Engineering

If you’re searching for a new role, why not visit our job page to take a look at the latest opportunities? Alternatively, upload your CV and one of our experienced consultants will contact you when a relevant opportunity becomes available. 

If you’re struggling to fill a role, why don’t you give us a call on 01772 954200 to see how we can help? One of our consultants will be happy to listen to the challenges which you are facing and advise on the best possible solution for you.