Primary Teacher Salary 2026/27: Regional Pay Scales and Hourly Equivalents

Understanding the primary teacher salary in England is essential whether you are entering the profession, considering a move, or comparing earnings across sectors. Pay scales vary by region, experience, and school type, and the latest figures from the Department for Education (via GOV.UK Get Into Teaching) provide clear benchmarks for the 2026/27 academic year.

Qualified Teacher Pay Ranges (from September 2026)

Qualified teachers with QTS in maintained schools in England fall into a main pay range with minimum and maximum points. The amounts below apply from September 2026:

Area	Minimum	Maximum
England (excluding London)	£34,069	£52,835
London fringe	£35,602	£54,328
Outer London	£39,196	£58,120
Inner London	£41,729	£64,684

These figures represent the primary teacher salary for classroom teachers. Most teachers move up the pay range annually through performance management reviews. After five years, a typical teacher could earn at least £46,960 (or more in London), according to the same source.

Leadership and Unqualified Teacher Salaries

For those taking on extra responsibilities, teaching and learning responsibility (TLR) payments can add up to £17,819. Leadership roles for headteachers and deputies have separate, higher ranges:

• England (excluding London): £53,847 – £81,861
• Inner London: £64,024 – £92,043

Unqualified teachers (without QTS) earn less, with a range of £23,732 – £36,494 outside London.

How Does Primary Teacher Salary Compare to National Earnings?

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) for April 2025 reported median gross annual earnings for all full-time employees at £39,039. This is slightly above the starting primary teacher salary outside London but below the top of the main pay range. Median hourly pay (excluding overtime) for full-time employees was £19.67. For a primary teacher on the minimum starting salary of £34,069, the hourly equivalent at a standard 37.5-hour week is around £17.47 – below the national median hourly rate. However, teachers on the upper end of the main scale (£52,835) earn an hourly equivalent of about £27.10.

Converting Annual Salary to Hourly Rate

To compare a primary teacher salary with hourly paid roles, use the formula:

Hourly rate ≈ Annual salary ÷ (hours per week × 52)

Assuming a 37.5-hour contracted week (a common benchmark for full-time work), the hourly equivalents for the main pay range are:

• Minimum (excluding London): £34,069 ÷ (37.5 × 52) ≈ £17.47 per hour
• Maximum (excluding London): £52,835 ÷ (37.5 × 52) ≈ £27.10 per hour

Note that teacher contracts often specify fewer directed hours (e.g., 32.5 hours), but actual working hours are significantly higher. The IDR Research for NASUWT found that teachers report average term-time hours of 52.4 per week, compared to the UK full-time average of 36.8 hours. This means the effective hourly rate based on actual hours worked is lower than the contracted calculation suggests.

Regional Differences and London Weighting

London weighting is a key factor in primary teacher salary differences. Inner London salaries start nearly £8,000 higher than the rest of England, reflecting higher living costs. The London fringe area (commuter belt) also attracts a premium. When comparing job offers, consider not just the salary but also commuting costs and housing affordability.

National Living Wage Context

For context, the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over in 2025 was £12.21 per hour. At 37.5 hours per week, that equates to roughly £23,809 annually. The 2026/27 rate is expected to rise (the on-site reference suggests £12.71 per hour, or £24,784 annually). A primary teacher starting at £34,069 is well above the NLW, but the gap narrows when considering actual hours worked.

Using Our Tools

To explore how your primary teacher salary compares to other roles or to convert between hourly and annual figures, visit our salary data page for UK benchmarks. You can also use the hourly calculator to see what your annual salary means per hour based on your contracted hours.

Summary

The primary teacher salary in England offers a clear progression path with regional adjustments. Starting from September 2026, qualified teachers can expect at least £34,069 outside London, rising to over £52,800 on average. While the contracted hourly rate may appear competitive, the substantial unpaid overtime reported by teachers means the effective rate is lower. Always check your specific contract and school’s pay policy for exact figures.