31st January 2024

How much is the average ECT salary in the UK?

Are you looking to start your journey in education, or are you currently a teaching assistant looking to transition into a more senior position? Regardless of your starting point, understanding the potential earnings as a teacher in the UK is likely a key consideration. Below, we take a look at the current average salaries for teachers in the UK, providing valuable insights for those exploring job opportunities or aspiring to progress in their educational careers.

What is the average ECT salary?

For primary or secondary teachers in England, their salary is contingent on the school type, location, and the specific pay range they fall within.

Below are the pay ranges for maintained schools (schools funded by local authorities). For non-maintained schools (academies, independent schools and private schools), they can set their own pay, but will often look similar to these pay ranges.

In addition, every year, your salary undergoes a review, and most teachers experience an annual progression within the pay range. This progression is subject to your school’s performance management procedures.

Teachers working in London typically receive additional pay known as “London weighting”, due to the higher cost of living in the capital. This extra allowance can vary but is often around £3,000 to £4,000 on top of the standard salary.

Teachers may receive additional payments beyond their regular salary for extra responsibilities, such as leading specific projects or holding roles like the head of a department. These additional payments, which can be one-off or ongoing, are determined by the school and may amount to up to £15,690, depending on the nature and extent of the responsibilities undertaken.

Career Progression

A teacher’s career progression in the UK varies based on subject speciality, experience and additional responsibilities. In fact, salaries may differ depending on the demand for certain subjects, with STEM subjects often offering advantages due to higher demand.

Experience also plays a pivotal role, as teachers progress up the pay scale with increasing years of service. Of course, senior or leadership roles, like Head of Department or Headteacher, will command much higher salaries.

Additional responsibilities, such as leading a department or taking on pastoral care roles, can result in extra payments or allowances.

Finally, as mentioned above, geographical location, particularly in London, may involve a London weighting allowance.

Subject Lead

A subject lead in a school is a teacher responsible for overseeing and coordinating a specific academic subject, ensuring that teaching is delivered to a high standard, and is there to support professional development within that subject area. For those looking to step into this role, you can expect to be paid:

London: £31,144 – £48,666
Rest of England and Wales: £28,000 -£37,000

Department Head / Head of Year

As a teacher, you can boost your yearly earnings by taking on more senior positions and added responsibilities, such as stepping into the role of a Head of Department. The typical annual salaries for senior teachers, with minimum and maximum ranges, are as follows:

London: £39,864 – £50,935
Rest of England and Wales: £38,690 – £41,604

Deputy Head / Head

For some, the ultimate ambition may be to become the deputy head or even the head teacher of your school. If this is the case, for a deputy head teacher the pay should range between:

London: £42,906 – £87,750
Rest of England and Wales: £48,862 – £70,264

Of course, the highest teaching salaries across the UK are paid to headteachers. As a head teacher, you can expect to get paid:

London: £54,685 to £139,891
Rest of England and Wales: £53,380 to £131,056

Being among the UK’s leading education recruitment agencies, we help many teachers annually find well-compensated positions. Whether you’re looking for opportunities in primary, secondary, or SEN schools, our team is here to help you secure a teaching position that reflects your true value. Simply reach out to us, and we’ll take it from there.

Are you interested in progressing into a more senior teaching role? Need more information? Speak to one of our expert consultants here.