Teacher Take-Home Pay by Scale Point in 2025/26
Worked examples for M1, M3, M6, U1 and U3 showing exactly what lands in your account each month after TPS pension, tax and NI — September 2025 pay scales.
The number that matters most
Every September when the new pay scales land, the first thing I do is work out what I'll actually see in my bank account — not the gross figure on the pay circular, but the real number after pension, tax and NI. If you're anything like me, the headline 4% looks great until you see the payslip.
Here's the breakdown for the main scale points on the September 2025 STPCD scales, using TPS pension and a standard 1257L tax code.
M1 — £32,916 gross
Starting out, M1 is the entry point for most newly qualified teachers outside London.
- TPS contribution (7.4%): −£2,436
- Income tax (20%): −£3,570
- National Insurance (8%): −£1,629
- Net annual: ~£25,281
- Net monthly: ~£2,107
That's roughly 77p in the pound taken home at M1 — the TPS rate is lower at this salary, which helps.
M3 — £37,101 gross
Mid-main scale, typically years 3–4 of teaching. You're now in TPS tier 2 (8.9%).
- TPS contribution (8.9%): −£3,302
- Income tax (20%): −£4,246
- National Insurance (8%): −£1,698
- Net annual: ~£27,855
- Net monthly: ~£2,321
The jump from M1 to M3 adds £4,185 gross but only ~£214/month net — a reminder of how the marginal deductions stack up.
M6 — £45,352 gross
Top of the main scale — where most experienced classroom teachers sit before applying for UPS.
- TPS contribution (8.9%): −£4,036
- Income tax (20%): −£5,749
- National Insurance (8%): −£2,300
- Net annual: ~£33,267
- Net monthly: ~£2,772
U1 — £47,472 gross
Crossing to the Upper Pay Range requires a performance review. U1 (£47,472) now falls in TPS tier 2 under the April 2026 bands — the higher tier boundary moved up to £48,727, so U1 teachers benefit from the lower 8.9% rate.
- TPS contribution (8.9%): −£4,225
- Income tax (20%): −£6,135
- National Insurance (8%): −£2,454
- Net annual: ~£34,658
- Net monthly: ~£2,888
U3 — £51,048 gross
Top of the Upper Pay Range outside London.
- TPS contribution (9.9%): −£5,054
- Income tax (20%): −£6,685
- National Insurance (8%): −£2,674
- Net annual: ~£36,635
- Net monthly: ~£3,053
At U3, around 72p in the pound reaches your account. The 9.9% TPS rate applies to the full salary, though the NPA means pension contributions reduce your taxable income before tax and NI are calculated.
London uplift
If you're in Inner London, the same deduction rates apply but to higher salaries. An Inner London M6 teacher on £49,467 takes home roughly £2,883/month — about £177/month more than their Rest of England counterpart at M6, after the London pay premium flows through deductions.
The TPS trade-off
Losing 7.4–11.6% to pension hurts, especially early in your career. But the employer contributes 28.68% of your pensionable pay on top — around £9,444/year at M3. That's money you'd simply never see in an equivalent private-sector role. The contribution is deferred compensation, not a loss.
Use our calculator to see the exact figures for your scale point, location and any TLR or SEN allowance you receive.
Figures are for guidance only. Not financial advice. For personalised calculations, use the take-home calculator.