6th June 2025

How much do teachers get paid in England? (Academic year 2024/25 pay guide)

Understanding teacher pay in the UK is important when considering relocation or applying for a role. Pay rates vary depending on the country within England (England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland), the type of school, level of experience and location. This guide focuses on England, where most overseas teachers begin their UK careers.

Pay scales are updated yearly in England – decisions around pay increases are decided yearly by the government, usually around July of every year.

We will update this blog when the new pay rates are announced for the new academic year.

Qualified teacher pay scales (England – state-funded schools)

There are two main pay ranges for classroom teachers:

1. Main Pay Scale (MPS) – for early career and most classroom teachers

2. Upper Pay Scale (UPS) – for experienced teachers with sustained excellence and extra responsibility

As of September 2025, the pay is approximately:

Unqualified teacher pay scale (England)

Teachers without Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), including some overseas-trained teachers working towards UK recognition, are paid on the Unqualified Teacher Pay range:

Schools determine the pay point based on experience and responsibilities. Many overseas teachers start here while obtaining QTS or completing training such as the assessment-only route or an initial teacher training programme.

It’s important to remember that most overseas qualified teachers will not start on UQ1 and tend to start higher up the scale.

Additional pay and roles

• TLR payments (Teaching and Learning Responsibility): £702 – £17,216 for extra duties; the TLR amount depends on the level of responsibility. TLR can include, but is not limited to, curriculum responsibilities, pastoral roles and management.
• Leadership Pay Scale: From approximately £50,000 to over £100,000, depending on role and school size.
• SEND Allowance: This offers additional pay for teachers working specifically with Special Education Needs (SEN) students, compensating them for their extra time, skill and commitment. This ranges from £2,787 – £5,497 depending on role, experience and school size.

Ready to start your teaching journey in the UK? We support overseas teachers every step of the way, from understanding pay scales to finding the right school for you. Register with us today, and we’ll be in touch to help you get started!