Teachers Main Pay Range (M1–M6) 2026/27
Reviewed by James Sheridan, CIPP-qualified payroll specialist · Last verified
Your results
- Annual salary (pro rata)
- £34,069.00
- Monthly gross
- £2,839.08
Estimates only, based on 2026/27 HMRC rates. Verify against GOV.UK before making payroll decisions.
The Main Pay Range covers qualified teachers from their first appointment (M1) through to the top of the classroom teacher scale at M6. Outside London, the range runs from £34,069 to £46,940 for the 2026/27 academic year. Inner London teachers start at £38,766 and reach £51,179 at M6. Use the [teachers pay scale calculator](/teachers-pay-scale-calculator/) for a full cross-range comparison, or the [Upper Pay Range page](/teachers-upper-pay-scale/) if you have already moved past M6.
How to use this calculator
- Find your pay point. M1 is the starting point for newly qualified teachers. Your school places you based on experience and qualifications.
- Check your region. Rest of England, Inner London, Outer London or Fringe. Your school’s postcode determines the region.
- Calculate part-time pay. Multiply the full-time salary by your FTE fraction (contracted hours ÷ 32.5).
- Check your pension tier. TPS contributions are tiered on actual salary, not full-time equivalent.
How it is calculated
Part-time main-range pay is full-time pay point × FTE. A 0.8 FTE teacher on M3 outside London earns £30,720. The TPS pension contribution at that actual salary is 7.4%.
Main Pay Range table 2026/27
All figures are gross annual salaries effective from 1 September 2026, following the confirmed 5.5% pay award.
| Pay point | Rest of England | Inner London | Outer London | Fringe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M1 | £34,069 | £38,766 | £36,413 | £32,999 |
| M2 | £36,042 | £40,660 | £38,304 | £35,147 |
| M3 | £38,400 | £43,038 | £40,564 | £37,478 |
| M4 | £40,941 | £45,527 | £43,047 | £40,018 |
| M5 | £43,529 | £48,540 | £46,188 | £42,587 |
| M6 | £46,940 | £51,179 | £48,540 | £46,006 |
The gap between M1 and M6 outside London is £12,871 a year (£1,073 per month). In Inner London, the gap is £12,413.
How Main Pay Range progression works
Progression from M1 to M6 is performance-based, not automatic. Schools make annual pay decisions, usually after a successful appraisal. The STPCD requires that teachers meeting the appraisal objectives should normally receive a pay increase, but the school’s pay policy governs the timing and size of each step.
A teacher who joins mid-year may not receive a pay increase until the next annual pay review. Some schools allow double pay-point jumps for exceptional performance, but this is at the head teacher’s discretion. Academy and free schools may use entirely different progression rules.
Starting pay: where do new teachers begin?
Most newly qualified teachers (ECTs completing their induction) start at M1. Schools have the discretion to appoint at a higher point to reflect previous relevant experience, additional qualifications, or recruitment difficulties. A career changer with significant professional experience might start at M3 or higher.
The starting salary at M1 outside London is £34,069 a year, or approximately £2,839 gross per month. After TPS pension (8.6%), income tax and National Insurance, estimated monthly take-home is around £1,998.
Part-time examples on the Main Pay Range
| Scenario | FTE | Gross annual | Monthly gross |
|---|---|---|---|
| M1 at 3 days/week | 0.6 | £20,441 | £1,703 |
| M3 at 4 days/week | 0.8 | £30,720 | £2,560 |
| M6 at 2.5 days/week | 0.5 | £23,470 | £1,956 |
| M4 Inner London at 0.6 FTE | 0.6 | £27,316 | £2,276 |
Pay portability between schools
There is no legal requirement for a new school to match your previous pay point. When you change schools, the new school sets your starting pay on the Main Pay Range according to their pay policy. In practice, many schools and trusts will match or improve on the existing pay point to attract candidates, but they are not obliged to do so.
This is particularly important when moving between a maintained school (which must follow STPCD) and an academy (which may have its own pay structure). Always check the advertised salary range and discuss pay during the recruitment process.
Moving from M6 to the Upper Pay Range
At M6 you can apply to move onto the Upper Pay Range at UPS1. The application requires evidence that you are a highly competent teacher and have made a substantial and sustained contribution to the school. The UPS1 salary outside London is £49,134, a rise of £2,194 over M6. See the [Upper Pay Range page](/teachers-upper-pay-scale/) for the full application process and standards.
Summary
The Main Pay Range is where most qualified classroom teachers sit. Use the region tables to find the correct salary, apply the FTE fraction for part-time work, and check the pension tier against your actual salary. For the full picture including leadership and London rates, return to the [teachers pay scale calculator](/teachers-pay-scale-calculator/). To estimate net pay after all deductions, use the [take-home pay calculator](/take-home-pay-calculator/).
Key rates — tax year 2026/27
Source: GOV.UK, "Rates and thresholds for employers 2026 to 2027" (HMRC).
| Employer NI main rate | 15% |
|---|---|
| Secondary threshold (annual) | £5,000.00 |
| Employment Allowance | £10,500.00 |
| Employee NI main rate | 8% |
| Primary threshold (annual) | £12,570.00 |
| Personal Allowance | £12,570.00 |
| Basic income tax rate | 20% |
| SSP weekly rate | £123.25 |
| SMP weekly rate (flat weeks) | £194.32 |
| Auto-enrolment employer minimum | 3% |
| Auto-enrolment employee minimum | 5% |
| National Living Wage (21+, per hour) | £12.71 |
Frequently asked questions
What is M1 teacher salary in 2026/27?
M1 is £34,069 outside London, £38,766 in Inner London, £36,413 in Outer London and £32,999 in the Fringe area.
How long does it take to go from M1 to M6?
There is no fixed timeline. Each pay point increase requires a successful appraisal. In practice, most teachers reach M6 in 5–6 years if they meet performance standards each year.
Can I start above M1?
Yes. Schools can appoint at any point on the Main Pay Range to reflect prior experience, qualifications or recruitment needs.
Is the pay award automatic?
The national 5.5% pay award applies to the scale itself. Individual progression through pay points still requires a successful appraisal.
Do academies use the same M1–M6 scale?
Academies are not required to follow the STPCD. Many do use it as a reference, but they can set their own pay structures. Check your contract.
What pension rate applies at M1?
At £34,069, the TPS contribution is 8.6%, which is approximately £2,930 per year.
Embed this calculator
Accountants and payroll bureaus: add this calculator to your own website — free, with attribution. Embeds are in early access.
Register interest