Teacher Pay Award 2026: What the 3.5% Rise Means for Your Take-Home Pay
Teachers in England get 3.5% from September 2026 and 3% from September 2027. Here's what the 2026 rise adds to your monthly take-home at every scale point after TPS, tax and NI.
The headline: 3.5% now, 3% next year
In July 2026 the government accepted the School Teachers' Review Body's recommendation of a 3.5% rise from 1 September 2026 — and, for the first time, a second award of 3% from 1 September 2027. The STRB has also pencilled in an indicative 3% for September 2028.
The 3.5% applies to every pay range, allowance and advisory point. The one exception is the minimum of the unqualified teacher range outside London, which rises by 5%.
For a teacher on M4 outside London, basic pay moves from £39,556 to £40,941 — £1,385 a year.
What 3.5% actually adds to take-home
The gross rise is not what reaches your account. Here's where that £1,385 goes for an M4 teacher:
| Deduction | Impact |
|---|---|
| Extra TPS pension | −£123 |
| Extra income tax | −£252 |
| Extra National Insurance | −£111 |
| Net increase | ~£899/year |
| Net monthly increase | ~£75/month |
The rise at every scale point
England excluding London, TPS pension, tax code 1257L, no student loan. Both columns use 2026/27 tax rates so you can see the effect of the award on its own.
| Scale point | 2025/26 | 2026/27 | Take-home rise |
|---|---|---|---|
| M1 | £32,916 | £34,069 | +£63/month |
| M2 | £34,823 | £36,042 | +£67/month |
| M3 | £37,101 | £38,400 | +£70/month |
| M4 | £39,556 | £40,941 | +£75/month |
| M5 | £42,057 | £43,529 | +£80/month |
| M6 | £45,352 | £46,940 | +£86/month |
| U1 | £47,472 | £49,134 | +£57/month |
| U2 | £49,232 | £50,956 | +£95/month |
| U3 | £51,048 | £52,835 | +£104/month |
Notice the smaller rise at U1. The new salary crosses a Teachers' Pension contribution boundary, so the higher rate applies to the whole salary — not just the extra. That's a quirk of how TPS tiers work, and it's offset by a bigger pension in retirement.
London
The same 3.5% applies to the London scales. An Inner London M6 teacher now earns £54,131 and takes home about £3,203/month — check the full 2026/27 pay scales for Fringe, Outer and Inner London.
When will I see it?
Maintained schools apply the award from 1 September, but many payrolls catch up in October or November with back pay for the months already worked. The final School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document 2026 is due in November 2026; the figures here are the advisory points published alongside the draft.
Academies don't have to follow the STPCD but most have matched recent awards. Wales sets its own pay scales, though it is applying the same 3.5% for 2026/27.
And September 2027?
A further 3% has already been accepted for 1 September 2027. On M6 that's roughly £1,408 more a year. We'll update the calculator as soon as it takes effect.
Use the calculator to see your exact take-home with your own tax code, student loan, TLR or part-time hours.
Figures are for guidance only. Not financial advice. For personalised calculations, use the take-home calculator.