Pay and benefits

All qualified teachers are paid according to pay scales, updated each September by the Government. You will start on the 'main' pay scale and each year, subject to performance, you will move up a step until you reach the maximum level or move on to a scale associated with a different position or level of experience.

Starting salary

Once you have completed your initial teacher training and achieved qualified teacher status (QTS), from September 2008 you can expect to start as a newly qualified teacher in England and Wales on £20,627 a year (or £25,000 if you work in inner London).

Main pay scale including NQTs

• London fringe: £21,619 to £31,138
• Outer London: £24,000 to £33,544
• Inner London: £25,000 to £34,768
• Rest of England and Wales: £20,627 to £30,148

Leadership and headship pay scales

For the first few years of your career, you might find yourself progressing to a leadership pay scale, or even a headship pay scale. These pay scales apply include:

• advanced skills teacher pay scale
• excellent teacher pay scheme
• leadership group pay scale, and
• headteacher pay scale.

Where you fit into these scales will depend on your position, experience and location, as well as on your individual school. Compare pay scales.

Teaching benefits

In addition to your basic salary, you will also receive a range of benefits, including:

• teaching and learning responsibility (TLR) payments – additional money if you take on additional responsibilities
• teachers' pension – the second largest public sector pension scheme in the country, and
• holidays – more days than many people in other professions, although don't be fooled into thinking you'll have long hot summers in which to enjoy putting your feet up. Teachers work for 195 days per year in school, and do work during their holidays.

Housing and home ownership

As key workers, teachers may be eligible to join home ownership schemes for help buying a home. Find out more on Directgov.