Teaching Income in the UK: What Do Teachers Really Get Paid in 2025?

by Yum Yum Mama Team June 17, 2025

If you’re considering a career in education or already teaching and wondering “Am I being paid fairly?”, you’re not alone. With rising living costs and mounting classroom pressure, UK teachers are increasingly curious about how their income stacks up — not just annually, but per hour, per week, and per role.

In this guide, we’ll break down teacher income by role, hours, and working pattern — including part-time and 0.6 contracts — and show you how to calculate your actual take-home.

How Much Do UK Teachers Get Paid?

In 2025, UK teachers earn the following on average:

Role	Starting Salary	Upper Pay Range
Classroom Teacher (England)	£30,000	£46,525
Inner London	£36,745	£56,959
Lead Practitioner	£47,417	£72,085
Headteacher	£56,000	£131,000+

Figures vary by region, school type, and experience. Teaching income also depends on TLRs (Teaching and Learning Responsibilities), SEN allowances, and leadership scale.

Teaching Income Per Hour

Most full-time teachers work far more than their paid 32.5 hours/week.

Estimated average actual hours worked: 50–55 per week
Resulting hourly wage (on £36,000 salary): ~£13.00/hour

This is often lower than industry counterparts with similar degrees — especially in early career stages.

Teaching Income Calculator (UK)

You can estimate your monthly or part-time income using:

Gov.uk Teacher Salary Calculator
NEU Salary Check Tool
Your school’s pay policy (check for local London weighting or Academy differences)

✂️ How to Work Out a 0.6 Teacher Salary

If you're contracted for 0.6 FTE (full-time equivalent):

Multiply the full salary by 0.6
Adjust for holidays (if paid hourly/daily)
Use a calculator or school-provided formula to verify pension contributions and deductions

Example:

Full-time M3 salary: £36,141
0.6 x £36,141 = £21,684.60 (before tax)

Do Teachers Earn Good Money?

It depends on:

Region (London weighting adds thousands)
Seniority (SLT/Head of Year roles increase income)
Workload (some schools expect 60+ hours/week)

Compared to professions with similar qualifications (e.g. legal, healthcare, digital), early-career teachers earn less. However, job security, pension, and holidays offer some long-term financial benefits.

Final Thought

Understanding teaching income isn’t just about what’s on paper — it’s about what lands in your bank each month and what you sacrifice to earn it. Whether you're full-time, part-time, or SLT-bound, clarity on your earnings helps you advocate for your value — and plan your future beyond the classroom, if needed.

This post is part of The Educators Income Hub— honest insights, career advice, and financial clarity for UK educators.