Understanding the Teach First Salary: What the Headline Rate Really Means

Understanding the Teach First Salary: What the Headline Rate Really Means

If you’re considering a career in teaching through the Teach First programme, the headline ‘teach first salary’ can sound appealing – a salary from day one, fully funded training, and a clear path to qualified teacher status. But what does that salary actually look like in practice, and how does it compare to the statutory minimum wage? This guide breaks down the figures, explains regional variations, and helps you understand what you’ll take home.

What Is the Teach First Salary?

Teach First offers a two-year training programme where you’re employed by a school from the start. You earn a salary while you train, and after one year you gain qualified teacher status (QTS). The salary you receive depends on your subject, your region, and which year of the programme you’re in.

In your first year, you’re paid on the unqualified teacher pay scale. For the 2025 intake (the most recent detailed figures available), the rates were:

• Primary / early years: point 1 of the unqualified scale – £22,601 outside London, up to £28,343 in Inner London.
• Secondary maths, science, or modern foreign languages: point 3 – £27,785 outside London, up to £33,528 in Inner London.
• Secondary all other subjects: point 2 – £25,193 outside London, up to £30,935 in Inner London.

In your second year, you move to at least point M1 on the qualified teacher scale. For 2025/26 that was £32,916 outside London, rising to £40,317 in Inner London. From September 2026, these minimums increase to £34,069 outside London and £41,729 in Inner London, following the 3.5% pay award confirmed by the Government.

How Does the Teach First Salary Compare to the National Minimum Wage?

The National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour from April 2026. For an 18–20 year old, the rate is £10.85. Even the lowest Teach First salary – £22,601 for a primary trainee outside London – works out at roughly £11.15 per hour based on a 37-hour week over 39 school weeks. That’s above the under-21 rate but slightly below the NLW for over-21s. However, most Teach First trainees are graduates aged 21 or over, and the higher subject-specific salaries easily exceed the NLW.

It’s important to remember that teachers often work more than 37 hours a week, especially during training. The effective hourly rate may be lower when you factor in planning, marking, and meetings. But the headline salary is a gross figure before tax, National Insurance, and pension contributions.

Regional Variations

Location makes a big difference. Teach First salaries are banded into four areas:

• Inner London – highest pay
• Outer London – slightly lower
• London fringe – areas just outside London
• Rest of England – lowest pay

For example, a qualified teacher starting in Inner London in 2026/27 earns £41,729, compared to £34,069 outside London. That’s a difference of over £7,600. The same pattern applies during training.

Progression After the Programme

Once you complete the two-year programme, you’re a qualified teacher on the main pay range. Most teachers move up one point each year, subject to performance reviews. After five years, a typical teacher outside London could earn at least £46,960 (point M6 in 2026/27). If you apply for the upper pay range, you could reach £52,835 outside London or £64,684 in Inner London.

You may also receive Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR) payments for extra duties, worth up to £17,819 per year. These are not included in the base salary figures.

What the Headline Rate Doesn’t Tell You

The ‘teach first salary’ you see advertised is the gross annual amount. Your take-home pay will be lower after deductions. For a rough guide, use the UK Minimum Wage calculator on this site to estimate net pay. Also consider that your salary is paid over 12 months, even though you only work around 39 weeks of the year – meaning your monthly income is stable.

Another factor: the figures above are for the 2025 intake and the 2026/27 pay scales. Teach First updates its salary information each year, so always check the latest details on their website. The Government’s pay award for 2026/27 is 3.5%, and further increases are expected for 2027/28.

Practical Tips for Job Seekers

• Check your region: Use the pay guides on this site to see exact salary bands for your area.
• Factor in location: If you’re willing to work in London, you’ll earn significantly more – but consider the higher cost of living.
• Understand the training year: Your first-year salary is lower, but you’re not paying for training. After year two, you’re on the qualified scale.
• Look beyond the headline: Consider pension contributions (teachers get a generous defined-benefit scheme) and other benefits like holiday pay.

Final Thoughts

The Teach First salary is a competitive starting point for graduates entering teaching. It’s well above the National Minimum Wage for most trainees, and the progression to qualified teacher pay is clear. However, the headline rate varies by subject, region, and year, so always read the small print. Use the resources on this site – including our pay data and topics pages – to compare salaries across different teaching routes and regions.

Remember: the figures in this article are based on publicly available information from GOV.UK guidance, Teach First, the National Education Union, and the Low Pay Commission. They are correct as of the latest search but are subject to change. Always verify with official sources before making career decisions.