Money
Teacher Pay Scales Explained (England)
Teacher pay scales change. This guide explains the structure so you can read an offer letter — and points you to official sources for current amounts.
The main building blocks
| Range | Who it usually covers | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Main pay range (MPR) | Most early and mid-career classroom teachers | Spine point / advisory points in your school’s pay policy |
| Upper pay range (UPR) | Teachers who have successfully applied to cross the threshold | School criteria and evidence expectations |
| Leadership pay range | Leadership team roles | Advertised range and ISR |
| TLR / SEN allowances | Additional responsibilities | TLR level and permanence |
London and fringes
Inner London, Outer London and Fringe areas have separate pay ranges. An offer that looks generous nationally may be mid-range in London — compare like with like.
Academies and other settings
Academies may set their own pay arrangements. Some mirror STPCD; others do not. Always read the contract and pay policy attached to the job.
Calculator
Teacher pay explorer
Indicative only. Enter a gross annual salary from an offer or pay scale. Tax/NI varies by circumstances — adjust the simple deduction rate.
- Monthly gross
- £2,667
- Est. monthly take-home
- £1,920
- Est. annual take-home
- £23,040
Sources
About the author
TeacherGuide Editorial
TeacherGuide publishes practical guides, buying advice and tools for UK teachers. We prioritise usefulness, independence and clear sourcing — especially on pay, pensions and statutory entitlements. Named contributor bylines will appear here only when real writers are credited.
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