How Much Do Teachers Earn an Hour in the UK in 2025?

In 2025, the answer to how much do teachers earn an hour in the UK is clearer if we use the official contract time of 1,265 directed hours a year. Based on this, a newly qualified teacher (ECT/M1) earns around £26 an hour outside London and about £32 an hour in Inner London. 

As teachers gain more experience, their pay typically rises, with many classroom teachers earning between £30 and £40 an hour. These figures give a simple, like-for-like comparison across the country. Of course, in reality, teachers often work extra hours and can receive additional allowances, but if you just want the straightforward hourly pay snapshot, teachers in 2025 usually earn £26 to £40 per hour, depending on experience and location.

In this blog, we explain how teacher hourly pay works in the UK. We also cover what affects it, like experience, location, leadership roles, and extra allowances. Let’s move on to see the details and examples.

What Is the Average Teacher’s Hourly Pay in the UK?

The easiest way to work out how much do teachers earn an hour is by taking their salary and dividing it by 1,265 directed hours (the official contract time in England and Wales). Using this method, the average comes out at around £30–£40 per hour for classroom teachers in 2025. It’s a fair and straightforward way to compare pay between schools.

It’s worth noting that things are slightly different across the UK. Scotland has its own contracts and pay scales, while Wales mostly follows England’s system but with small adjustments. This means the exact hourly pay can vary a little. Still, if you want a clear overall picture, about £30–£40 an hour is a solid average for teachers in the UK.

A tiny map note for quick context is below.

• England: Most teachers average around £30–£40 per hour.
• Scotland: Figures vary slightly due to different national contracts.
• Wales: Similar to England, with some small pay differences.

How Do Teacher Salaries Compare to Hourly Pay?

Many people want to know how much do teachers earn an hour. Well, here’s an easy way to find out! Full-time teachers work about 1,265 hours a year. So, just take the yearly salary and divide it by 1,265. That’s it, now you know the hourly pay!Formula: Contract hourly pay = Annual salary ÷ 1,265 directed hours

Mini example:

• Example 1: £38,000 ÷ 1,265 ≈ is about £30 per hour.
• Example 2: £38,000 ÷ 1,900 ≈ is about £20 per hour.

That second example uses your total estimated working hours. It shows why real hourly pay can feel much lower.

Quick note: Directed time covers lessons, PPA, meetings, and duties. Finally, the method stays the same for any salary.

Do Primary and Secondary Teachers Earn Different Hourly Rates?

Short answer: no! Both primary and secondary teachers follow the same national pay scales, so if you are at the same pay point, your hourly rate is the same.

However, pay can still vary depending on where you teach. Extra allowances, such as TLR or SEN, can also increase your pay. So even on the same scale, these factors can make a difference.

That said, pay can still look different depending on a few factors: 

• Location: London, weightings boost pay.
• Pay point: Moving up the scale raises pay.
• Allowances: TLR or SEN add extra.

So even though the base scale is the same, these factors can make your pay vary. Want help? Share your region and pay point, and I’ll estimate!

How Does Location Affect Teacher Hourly Pay (London vs Other Regions)?

Location makes a clear difference in teacher earnings across the UK. London teacher pay is generally higher to match living costs. For example, a newly qualified teacher (ECT/M1) earns around:

So, inner London teachers’ hourly pay stands out as the highest, while teachers outside London earn slightly less but still receive strong national rates.

How Do Experience and Pay Scales Change Teacher Hourly Wages?

Teaching is one of the few professions where pay progression is clearly structured. As teachers gain experience, they move up the national pay scale, and with every step, their hourly wage increases. Let’s break it down.

1. Classroom Teachers on the Main and Upper Pay Scales

For teachers outside London, the hourly rate looks like this:

• M1 (Newly Qualified Teacher): ~£26 per hour
• M6 (Experienced Teacher): ~£36 per hour
• U3 (Highly Experienced Teacher): ~£40 per hour

This progression shows that experience translates directly into better pay. Each stage recognises the skills, knowledge, and stability that teachers bring after years in the classroom.

2. Moving Beyond the Classroom: Leadership Roles

The pay scale doesn’t stop at U3. Teachers who step into leadership positions see a further jump in hourly rates:

• Head of Department (Leading Practitioner): £45–£50 per hour
• Senior Leader / Headteacher: £55+ per hour

These roles come with bigger responsibilities—such as managing staff, budgets, or whole-school strategies—but they also provide a significant financial reward.

3. What This Means for Teachers

The journey from M1 to senior leadership highlights a clear pattern: experience, responsibility, and location all combine to raise teacher pay over time. What starts at £26 per hour for a new teacher can more than double for those who progress into top leadership positions.

This structured pathway not only rewards dedication but also makes teaching a career where financial growth matches professional growth.

What Is the Hourly Pay for Newly Qualified Teachers in 2025?

If you’re starting as a new teacher, it helps to know what you can expect to earn. In 2025, ECT (Early Career Teacher) hourly pay differs depending on where you teach. This is because schools in different regions apply location weightings to match living costs.

The newly qualified teacher’s hourly rate in the UK is roughly:

• Ex-London: £26 per hour
• Fringe/Outer London: £27–£30 per hour
• Inner London: £32 per hour

Starter Pay at a Glance:

£26–£32 per hour, based on where you work. So, your first teaching job already comes with a solid starting rate.

How Much Do Senior Teachers and Heads Earn Per Hour?

As teachers gain senior roles, their pay goes up, too. The senior teacher’s hourly pay at the U3 level is about £40 an hour (ex-London). On the leadership scale, pay is usually £45–£55 or more per hour.

For example, a headteacher in a big secondary school can earn around £55 an hour. So, as teachers move into leadership, both pay and responsibility increase.

Do Supply Teachers Earn More Per Hour Than Permanent Staff?

It depends on the contract. Supply teacher hourly pay can seem higher at first. This is because day rates often include holiday pay and no long-term benefits. After about 12 weeks in the same school, the Agency Worker Regulations (AWR) apply. Then, supply teachers usually get the same pay as permanent staff at the same level.

So, at first, the pay may look higher, but later it becomes equal. If you’re curious about how these pay scales compare — from newly qualified teachers on M1 all the way up to leadership roles — we’ve broken it down in detail on our blog. 

How Do School Hours vs Actual Working Hours Affect Teacher Pay?

Normally, teacher pay is based on 1,265 school hours a year. But most teachers work more; often 1,500 to 1,700 hours when planning and marking are included.

This means the effective hourly rate teachers earn is usually lower than it seems on paper. The more hours you work, the less you make per hour.

• Try this quick check: Your pay per hour = Annual salary ÷ Your actual hours

Knowing your real teacher’s working hours in the UK helps you see what you truly earn.

What Benefits Add Value Beyond Teacher Hourly Pay?

Teachers earn more than just their hourly rate. Many extras make the job even better. These include the teachers’ pension, TLR/SEN allowances, paid holidays, and chances for CPD and promotion.

Here are the three biggest extras that add real value:

• Pension: The teacher pension value is high, with strong employer contributions.
• Allowances: Extra pay through TLR allowance or SEN allowance for added duties or special needs support.
• Progression: Clear paths to higher pay through UPS or leadership roles.

Together, these benefits boost overall earnings and career growth beyond the basic hourly rate.

How Does Teacher Hourly Pay Compare with Other Jobs?

When we compare teacher pay with other school roles, the difference is clear. Teachers usually earn around £30–£40 an hour. This is based on their contract hours and tasks like lesson planning, marking, and supporting pupils.

In contrast, teaching assistants earn about £12–£14 an hour. Most TAs work term-time only and follow the local NJC pay scale.

Teacher vs Teaching Assistant: On average, teachers earn about twice as much per hour as teaching assistants. This shows the difference in training, duties, and job level, but both roles are vital in every school. Check out our guide to see the full teacher assistant pay progression explained step by step.

FAQs About How Much do Teachers Earn an hour in the UK 

1. How to work out teachers’ hourly rate in the UK?
Divide your annual salary by 1,265 directed hours.

2. How many hours do teachers get paid for in the UK?
Full-time teachers are paid for 1,265 directed hours per year.

3. How do teacher salaries work in the UK?
Salaries follow national pay scales (M1–U3), with an extra for leadership or special duties.

4. Are teachers paid pro rata in the UK?
Yes, part-time teachers are paid proportionally to hours worked.

5. How to calculate your hourly rate in the UK?
Hourly rate = Annual salary ÷ Directed hours (or your actual hours for personal calculation).

6. How are teacher hours calculated?
Based on contracted directed hours plus extra tasks like planning and marking.

7. How do I calculate my hourly pay rate?
Hourly pay = Annual salary ÷ Total hours worked.

8. How to calculate a teacher’s daily pay?
Daily pay = Annual salary ÷ Number of working days in your contract.

Final Thoughts: Is Teacher Hourly Pay Fair in 2025?

In 2025, the picture is clear. Teachers in the UK earn around £26 to £40 an hour, depending on experience, scale point, and location. Those in leadership roles can earn £45 to £55+ an hour.

Pay grows gradually, from M1 for new teachers to U3 for the most experienced, with extra boosts for London and leadership. When you add pensions, allowances, and career progression, the rewards go beyond the basic hourly rate.

So, how much do teachers earn an hour? The answer depends on where you are on the scale and how far you want to progress. Teaching offers a structured pathway where your effort, skill, and dedication are recognised not only in the classroom but also in your pay.

At Wise Campus, we offer a wide range of Teaching and Training courses designed to help you gain skills, confidence, and recognised qualifications. Whether you’re starting, moving up the pay scale, or aiming for leadership, our courses give you the tools to grow faster.

Explore the options today and take the next step toward a stronger future in education.