Teacher take-home pay calculator 2026/27 | Money Worked Out
This calculator shows what a teacher keeps from each point on the pay scales for England, Wales and Scotland in the 2026/27 tax year. It takes off income tax, National Insurance and the teachers' pension contribution, and it handles part-time contracts. Each scale also has its own page with a full table.
Which scales are used
England has four area scales: the rest of England, the fringe, outer London and inner London. Wales has one national scale. For England and Wales the calculator uses the scales in force from 1 September 2025, because the 2026/27 scales had not been published when the pages were checked. At that time England was consulting on its September 2026 award, and the Welsh Government had said it would consult on its own.
Scotland's scale is agreed by the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers, and the calculator uses the rates in force from 1 August 2026. The pages for England outside London, Wales and Scotland each list every point with its take-home pay.
How the pension contribution works
Teachers in England and Wales pay into the Teachers' Pension Scheme, and teachers in Scotland pay into the Scottish Teachers' Pension Scheme. Both schemes set the member's rate by tier. The tier depends on the salary actually paid, and the rate then applies to all of it.
Part-time teachers are placed in a tier by their part-time pay, so someone working three days a week can pay a lower rate than a full-time colleague on the same point. The calculator scales the salary by the share of full time before it looks up the tier.
The contribution comes off before income tax, which lowers the tax bill. National Insurance is still charged on the whole salary, at 8% up to £50,270 and 2% above it.
What the figures leave out
The figures cover basic pay on the scale only. Allowances such as teaching and learning responsibility payments, special needs allowances and any other pay are not included. They assume the standard tax code and no other income. A student loan can be added in the calculator, and the methodology page explains the method in full.
Questions
Why are the England and Wales scales a year old?
The 2026/27 pay documents for England and Wales had not been published when these pages were checked. The tables use the scales in force from 1 September 2025 until new ones are published.
Does the calculator cover Northern Ireland?
No. Teachers in Northern Ireland are paid on a separate scale that is not included here. The calculator covers England, Wales and Scotland only.
Why can part-time teachers pay a lower pension rate?
The pension tier is based on the salary actually paid, so a part-time teacher is placed by the part-time amount. Lower part-time pay can fall into a lower tier with a lower contribution rate.
Do the figures include allowances?
No. Teaching and learning responsibility payments and other allowances are left out. Each of them would add to taxable pay and could move the pension into a higher tier.