Headteacher Salary UK: A Complete Guide to Pay Scales and Take-Home Pay

Headteacher Salary UK: Understanding Pay Scales and What You Take Home

If you are considering a career as a headteacher or are already in a leadership role, understanding the headteacher salary UK landscape is essential. Headteacher pay is not a simple hourly rate; it is an annual salary determined by a structured system that reflects the size, location, and challenges of the school. This guide explains the current pay ranges, how they are set, and what your take-home pay might look like.

How Headteacher Pay Is Structured

Headteacher salaries in England are governed by the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD), which applies to maintained schools (those funded by local authorities). Academies and free schools may set their own pay policies, but many follow similar principles.

The key factor is the headteacher group – a classification from Group 1 (small schools) to Group 8 (large, complex schools). The group is determined by the school’s total unit score, which takes into account pupil numbers, age range, and other factors. Each group has a minimum and maximum annual salary. The relevant body (governing body or trust) then sets a specific pay range within that group, considering the role’s responsibilities and any specific challenges.

Current Headteacher Salary Ranges (from September 2026)

According to GOV.UK guidance, the following are the headteacher salary ranges for maintained schools in England from September 2026:

• England (excluding London): £60,619 – £148,829
• London fringe: £62,102 – £150,301
• Outer London: £64,871 – £153,042
• Inner London: £70,754 – £158,863

These ranges cover all headteacher groups. For example, a Group 1 school in England outside London would have a minimum of £60,619 and a maximum of around £80,652, while a Group 8 school could go up to £148,829. The London areas add a significant weighting to attract and retain leaders.

Typical Headteacher Salaries

While the ranges are wide, most headteachers are in the middle groups. A typical secondary headteacher post is in Group 5, with a median salary of around £85,000 according to analysis from salarytax.uk. This figure is often used as a benchmark for take-home pay calculations.

For primary schools, headteacher salaries tend to be lower, often in Groups 1 to 3, with salaries ranging from £60,619 to around £90,000 depending on location and school size.

Take-Home Pay: What You Actually Receive

Headteacher pay is subject to Income Tax, National Insurance, and pension contributions. The Teachers’ Pension Scheme is a valuable benefit, with employer contributions of 28.68% and member contributions that are tiered based on salary:

• 10.5% on earnings up to £76,572.99
• 11.6% on earnings between £76,573 and £104,413.99
• 12% on earnings above £104,413.99

These contributions are deducted before Income Tax, reducing your taxable income. For a headteacher on £85,000, the 11.6% tier applies, meaning a pension contribution of £9,860 per year. After that, Income Tax (20% on the first £37,700, then 40%) and National Insurance (12% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270, then 2%) are deducted.

The result is a take-home pay of approximately £53,941 per year (£4,495 per month) for a headteacher on £85,000. This figure comes from salarytax.uk and assumes standard tax codes and no other deductions. Your actual take-home will vary depending on your tax code, student loan repayments, or any additional allowances.

How Headteacher Pay Compares to Other Roles

Headteacher salaries place you well above the UK median full-time earnings. The UK full-time median is around £39,039, so a headteacher on £85,000 earns about 118% above that, placing them in the top 5% of UK earners. However, the responsibility is immense – headteachers are accountable for the education, safety, and wellbeing of hundreds of pupils, as well as leading a team of teachers and support staff.

For context, the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour (as of 2026), which equates to about £24,785 for a 37.5-hour week. Headteacher salaries are far above this, reflecting the seniority and accountability of the role.

Important Caveats

• Multi-academy trusts: Executive heads in MATs are not bound by STPCD and may be paid above the Group 8 maximum under trust pay policy.
• Exceptional circumstances: The relevant body can exceed the group maximum by up to 25% with independent advice, but this is rare.
• Older national pay scales: You may see a figure of £56,316 for head teachers on some GOV.UK pages – this is from an older document and does not reflect the 2026 award. Always check the latest guidance.
• Pension contributions: The Teachers’ Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme, so your take-home is lower but you build a valuable pension. The employer contribution of 28.68% is a significant part of your total compensation.

Further Reading

For more detailed pay data and comparisons, see our pay guides and pay data pages. You can also explore topics related to teacher and leadership salaries.

Summary

The headteacher salary UK ranges from around £60,619 to over £158,000 depending on school group and location. A typical secondary head earns about £85,000, with a take-home of roughly £54,000 after pension and taxes. Pay is determined by a structured system that rewards responsibility and experience. If you are considering headship, use the official guidance and your school’s group to estimate your potential earnings.