Profession · 2026/27
Experienced Teacher Salary 2026/27 — Upper Pay Scale
Teachers passing the performance threshold move to the Upper Pay Scale (UPS1–UPS3). Rest-of-England range £45,646–£49,084 (2024/25 STPCD). Classroom teachers without TLR or leadership responsibilities.
Typical pay & take-home
- Median gross
- £47,000
- Typical range
- £45,000–£49,000
- Take-home at median
- £37,360
England, no pension applied — use the salary calculator for your scheme.
At the median for this profession, you earn about 26% above the UK full-time median (£37,430), placing you in the top 34% of UK earners.
What influences experienced teacher (ups) pay
Moving onto UPS requires the performance threshold — a formal assessment usually at or after M6. Progression UPS1 → UPS3 takes another 4+ years, depending on school's performance management process.
TLR (Teaching and Learning Responsibility) allowances add £3,391–£15,269 (2024/25) on top for staff holding department/year-lead roles — this pushes many experienced teachers well into the higher-rate tax band.
London teachers on UPS earn materially more: Inner London UPS3 £58,949 (2024/25), comfortably above the £50,270 higher-rate threshold. Scottish teachers at equivalent seniority (Chartered Teacher, post-Main Scale) top out around £56,000–£58,000.
Career progression
- UPS1: £45,646 rest-of-England.
- UPS2: £47,346.
- UPS3: £49,084 — classroom teacher ceiling without leadership role.
- With TLR: +£3,391 (TLR2 min) to +£15,269 (TLR1 max).
- Leadership group: assistant head, deputy head, headteacher.
Frequently asked questions
- What do UPS3 teachers take home after tax 2026/27?
- At £49,084 UPS3 (rest-of-England), with 9.6% Teachers Pension (higher tier), you take home approximately £33,500–£34,000 per year.
- How does TLR affect my take-home?
- TLR1 (£8,737–£15,269) is added to your salary and taxed at your marginal rate — if you're already close to £50,270 a full TLR1 will push you into higher-rate territory, losing 40% on pounds above the threshold.