Zen Educate Content Team
14 Mar 2025
5
min read
If you’re searching for this article, then you’re after simple and concise information on how much an Early Career Teacher can expect to make in their first years of teaching, from the 2024-25 academic year.
This article will give you all the information you need regarding the average ECT salary you can expect from you first role as an ECT. Let’s dig in.
How much is an ECT teacher salary?
As an ECT, you’ll most likely start your career at M1, which means your salary will be in the pay scale of between £31,650 and £38,766 depending on whether you’re in or near London.
Here’s a breakdown of the M1 Pay Scale that ECTs will most likely be paid by area:
Area | Minimum Pay |
England (excluding London) | £31,650 |
London fringe | £33,074 |
Outer London | £36,412 |
Inner London | £38,766 |
This will be the normal circumstance for most ECTs, but it may not be the case for all. Schools that are owned by Academies or Trusts sometimes use their own pay scales but are usually similar to the pay scale above.
Sometimes, a school may offer higher than M1, to secure a teacher that they particularly want for the job. It’s therefore possible for an ECT with an exceptional PGCE and experience to be offered M2 or M3 straightaway.
Here’s a view of all of pay scales from M1 to M6:
How do I move up the scale?
In most circumstances, teachers move up the pay scale by one increment per academic year. It is possible for teachers to be held back from progressing, but that is usually because of very poor performance in their job. If you, as an ECT, are in danger of not progressing, then your employer will make you aware of this at an early stage.
Teachers can also move up the scale in other ways. If a teacher shows excellent ability and aptitude, then a school may seek to move them up to a higher salary than usual to retain their staff member. If a teacher gains leadership responsibilities, such as becoming a Head of Department or Head of Year, then they should expect a TLR.
A TLR (Teaching & Learning Responsibilities) is an extra payment on top of your classroom teacher salary. ECTs are unlikely to receive this in their first year of teaching, but progressing into higher roles will reward you with higher pay.
If a teacher gains employment in an SEN (Special Educational Needs) school, then there is often an additional payment associated with this also.
How is teachers’ pay decided?
If you work in a state school, then you’ll be paid according to the agreed pay scale we covered earlier. The pay scale lays out how much a teacher is to be paid, depending on their position in the school and their experience. The scale is there to ensure that teachers are paid fairly and equally in state education, while helping to eliminate discriminatory practice at all levels.
If you're working supply, the rate of pay will depend on whether you're looking for teaching jobs in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds or Bristol, for example.
For qualified teachers who don’t have leadership responsibilities, the scale runs from M1 to M6, and then from U1 to U3. The M stands for Main Pay and the U for Upper Pay.
Within the bands of the pay scale, the salary differs depending on whether a teacher works close to or in London. Pay increases in state schools depending on this to counter the higher cost of living.
The tables above lay out the salaried pay ranges for qualified teachers without leadership responsibility, based on the 5.5% pay rise outlined for the 2024-25 academic year announced by the government on the 29th July 2024.
Check out our guide on broader teaching salaries for more information on other roles in education.
What other benefits are there?
Teachers’ pensions are envied, and for good reason – they are guaranteed by the government, and the employer contributions are generous. Typically, employers contribute around £7,000+ each year, linked to salary.
Teachers in sought-after subjects such as Science and Computer Science may be eligible for loan reimbursements from their student loan. It’s worth investigating this before you start your career to see if you are eligible.
How do I talk about salary with my new school?
At interview, seek clarification regarding pay. If you believe that you should be offered greater than M1, you’ll need to mention this at the interview stage, as most employers will go with M1 as a standard.
