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.
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:
| Area | Starting (M1) | Experienced (M6) |
| England (outside London) | £32,916 | £45,352 |
| Inner London | £40,317 | £52,300 |
| Outer London | £37,870 | £50,474 |
| London Fringe | £34,398 | £46,839 |
Teachers without Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), including some overseas-trained teachers working towards UK recognition, are paid on the Unqualified Teacher Pay range:
| Area | Starting (UQ1) | Top of Scale (UQ6) |
| England (outside London) | £22,601 | £35,259 |
| Inner London | £28,343 | £40,994 |
| Outer London | £26,789 | £39,450 |
| London Fringe | £24,066 | £36,718 |
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.
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!
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