M1 Teacher Salary 2025/26
Main Pay Range Point 1 — Early Career Teacher (ECT) Year 1
Gross (annual)
£32,916
Net (TPS on)
£25,271
Net (monthly)
£2,106
About this pay scale
M1 is the starting salary for newly qualified teachers (formally "Early Career Teachers" since 2021) in their first year of induction. It applies to anyone working their first full year in a state-funded school in England — primary, secondary, special, or sixth-form. M1 is the lowest point on the Main Pay Range (M1-M6).
Most teachers progress one point per year on the MPR (M1 → M2 → ... → M6) subject to successful annual performance review. By M6 (typically year 5-6 of teaching), basic pay reaches £45,352 in Rest of England — a £12,436 pay rise from M1 over 5 years.
Compared across regions
| Region | Gross (annual) | Net (annual, TPS on) | Net (monthly) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rest of England | £32,916 | £25,271 | £2,106 |
| Fringe | £34,398 | £26,250 | £2,188 |
| Outer London | £37,870 | £28,090 | £2,341 |
| Inner London | £40,317 | £29,678 | £2,473 |
All four regions use entirely separate STPCD pay tables — not a percentage uplift. Net pay assumes TPS contributions are on at the applicable tier, no student loan, no salary sacrifice, 1.0 FTE.
FAQ
What's the difference between NQT and ECT?
NQT (Newly Qualified Teacher) was the historic term for teachers in their first year. Since September 2021, the induction period was extended to 2 years and rebranded as the Early Career Teacher (ECT) framework. ECT Year 1 (M1) and ECT Year 2 (M2) are now the standard entry points, with extra mentoring and reduced timetable provisions. The pay scale itself is unchanged — M1 in 2025/26 is £32,916 in Rest of England.
Am I on M1 if I switch schools?
Not necessarily. Teachers carry their pay point with them between maintained schools — moving from one Rest-of-England school to another mid-MPR keeps your point. Moving from a Rest-of-England school to an Inner London school keeps your M-point but uses the Inner London pay table (a meaningful uplift). Academies set their own pay rules, though most follow STPCD.
Do teachers in Wales / Scotland / NI also start at M1?
Wales uses STPCD but with separate Welsh figures (slightly different from England). Scotland uses SNCT (Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers) which is a different framework entirely. Northern Ireland has its own scheme. This calculator covers England STPCD only.
Try the calculator
The figures on this page assume a full-time teacher (1.0 FTE) on TPS at the appropriate contribution tier, no student loan, no salary sacrifice. Real life is more nuanced — use the calculator to layer in your specific situation (part-time FTE, TLR / SEN allowances, student loan, exact pay point) and see your real take-home.