Teachers Pay Scale Wales 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.
Welsh teachers are paid under the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD), with pay policy set by the Welsh Government through the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body (IWPRB). The 2026/27 Main Pay Range runs from £34,069 at M1 to £46,940 at M6, matching the Rest of England rates. Welsh residents use a C-prefix tax code (e.g. C1257L), with income tax rates currently matching the rest-of-UK bands. For English rates including London weighting, see the [teachers pay scale calculator](/teachers-pay-scale-calculator/).
How to use this calculator
- Find your pay point. The Welsh STPCD uses the same Main (M1–M6) and Upper (UPS1–UPS3) ranges as England outside London.
- Check the Welsh tax code. Welsh residents use a C-prefix tax code. Current rates match England, but this can change.
- Calculate part-time pay. Same formula: full-time salary × FTE (contracted hours ÷ 32.5).
How it is calculated
Welsh teacher take-home pay follows the standard formula: gross salary − TPS pension − income tax − National Insurance. The C-prefix tax code currently applies the same rates as England, so take-home at the same gross salary is identical. If the Senedd sets different rates in future, the C-prefix code ensures the correct Welsh rates are applied automatically.
Welsh teachers pay scale 2026/27
The Welsh STPCD rates for 2026/27, matching the Rest of England:
| Pay point | Annual salary | Monthly gross |
|---|---|---|
| M1 | £34,069 | £2,839 |
| M2 | £36,042 | £3,004 |
| M3 | £38,400 | £3,200 |
| M4 | £40,941 | £3,412 |
| M5 | £43,529 | £3,627 |
| M6 | £46,940 | £3,912 |
| UPS1 | £49,134 | £4,095 |
| UPS2 | £50,956 | £4,246 |
| UPS3 | £52,835 | £4,403 |
How Welsh teacher pay is set
Since 2018, teachers’ pay in Wales has been devolved to the Welsh Government. The IWPRB (Independent Welsh Pay Review Body) makes annual recommendations, which the Education Minister accepts or modifies. The pay award applies to all maintained schools in Wales.
Academies do not exist in Wales in the same form as England. All state-funded schools in Wales are maintained schools and must follow the Welsh STPCD. This gives Welsh teachers more pay consistency than their English counterparts, where academy trusts can set independent pay structures.
Welsh income tax (C-prefix code)
Since April 2019, Welsh residents have had their own income tax rates, shown on payslips through a C-prefix tax code. For 2026/27, the Welsh rates match the rest-of-UK bands: 20% basic, 40% higher, 45% additional. The Senedd has the power to vary these rates by up to 10p in the pound in future.
Employee National Insurance uses the same UK-wide thresholds regardless of where you live. The [national insurance calculator](/national-insurance-calculator/) shows your NI separately.
TPS pension for Welsh teachers
Welsh teachers are in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme with the same contribution tiers as England and Scotland. At M1 (£34,069), the rate is 8.6%; at M6 (£46,940), it is 9.6%; at UPS3 (£52,835), it is 10.2%.
Key differences from England
While pay rates currently match England (outside London), Welsh teachers have several structural differences:
- No academies: all state schools follow the Welsh STPCD
- Curriculum for Wales: different curriculum framework from the National Curriculum in England
- Registration: teachers must register with the Education Workforce Council (EWC) in Wales
- Pay review: the IWPRB is separate from England’s STRB (School Teachers’ Review Body)
- Welsh language: some posts require Welsh language skills and may attract additional allowances
Summary
Welsh teachers are paid under the STPCD with rates currently matching England outside London. The C-prefix tax code applies Welsh income tax rates (currently identical to rUK). All maintained schools in Wales follow the same pay structure. For English rates including London weighting, see the [teachers pay scale calculator](/teachers-pay-scale-calculator/). For Scottish SNCT rates, see the [Scotland page](/teachers-pay-scale-scotland/). Use the [take-home pay calculator](/take-home-pay-calculator/) for a full net pay estimate.
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
Are Welsh teacher salaries the same as England?
Currently yes. The 2026/27 Welsh STPCD rates match England outside London: M1 is £34,069 and M6 is £46,940. London weighting does not apply in Wales.
Do Welsh teachers pay different income tax?
Welsh residents have a C-prefix tax code. The current rates match the rest of the UK, but the Senedd has the power to change them in future.
Are there academies in Wales?
No. All state-funded schools in Wales are maintained schools and must follow the Welsh STPCD.
What pension scheme are Welsh teachers in?
The Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS), with the same contribution tiers as England and Scotland.
Who sets teacher pay in Wales?
The Welsh Government, advised by the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body (IWPRB). Pay has been devolved since 2018.
Do Welsh-medium teachers get extra pay?
There is no national Welsh language allowance in the STPCD, but schools may consider language skills when setting pay within the range or through TLR payments.
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