Answers · UK 2025/26

What is the take-home pay for a newly qualified teacher on M1?

A newly qualified teacher in England (outside London) starts on Main Pay Range point M1, worth roughly £32,000 a year. For 2026/27, that gives take-home pay of £26,559.60 after £3,886 Income Tax and £1,554.40 National Insurance -- about £2,213.30 a month -- before Teachers' Pension Scheme contributions.

Last updated: 3 July 2026Last reviewed: 3 July 2026How we verify

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Newly qualified teachers in England (outside London and the fringe areas, which pay slightly more) start on Main Pay Range point M1, worth roughly £32,000 a year for 2026/27, rising through M2 to M6 over the following five years as they gain experience and pass performance reviews. On the M1 salary of £32,000: taxable income after the £12,570 Personal Allowance is £19,430, all within the 20% basic rate band, giving £3,886 Income Tax. National Insurance is 8% of £19,430 = £1,554.40. Combined deductions of £5,440.40 leave £26,559.60 take-home pay a year, around £2,213.30 a month. All qualified teachers in state schools are automatically enrolled in the Teachers' Pension Scheme, a career average scheme with employee contributions on a tiered structure typically around 8.4% to 9.6% of pensionable pay at this salary level, deducted before tax -- one of the more affordable public sector pension tiers at entry-level pay, though the exact tier is reviewed annually and can change with pay awards.