Headteacher Salary: Common Myths and Mistakes About School Leadership Pay

Headteacher Salary: Common Myths and Mistakes About School Leadership Pay

If you’re looking up headteacher salary figures, you’ve probably noticed a bewildering spread of numbers — from just over £50,000 to nearly £160,000. That’s because there is no single headteacher salary. The role sits on a statutory leadership pay range, and where a headteacher lands on that range depends on the school’s size, complexity, location, and the governing body’s discretion. This article unpacks the most common myths and mistakes people make when researching headteacher pay, so you can interpret advertised salaries and official data with confidence.

Myth 1: “There is one headteacher salary”

This is the biggest mistake. Headteacher pay in England is not a single figure. The School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD) sets a statutory leadership pay span, which for 2026/27 runs from £53,586 (L1) to £148,829 (L43) in the rest of England, and up to £158,863 in Inner London. But within that span, each school is assigned to one of eight groups based on its total unit score — a formula that considers pupil numbers, age weighting, and deprivation factors. Each group has its own narrower range.

For example, a Group 1 headteacher (small primary) earns between £60,619 and £80,652, while a Group 8 headteacher (large secondary) earns between £104,059 and £148,829. The difference between the smallest and largest school can be over £80,000. So when you see a headline like “average headteacher salary £85,000”, it’s meaningless without context. The UK Average Salary page gives a broader benchmark, but for headteachers you must look at the specific group and region.

Myth 2: “Take-home pay is just gross minus tax”

Headteachers in England are members of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS), which is a net pay arrangement. That means pension contributions are deducted before Income Tax, reducing your taxable pay. But the contribution rate is not flat: for 2026/27, you pay 10.5% on earnings up to £76,572.99, 11.6% on earnings between £76,573 and £104,413.99, and 12% above that. Most headteachers fall into the 11.6% or 12% bands.

Take-home is also hit by National Insurance (8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270, then 2% above) and Income Tax (20% on the basic rate band, 40% on the higher rate, and 45% on additional rate above £125,140). For a headteacher on £85,000 gross, the take-home is about £53,941 per year after £9,860 pension, £17,488 Income Tax and £3,711 NI. That’s a net rate of about 63%. Always use a salary calculator that includes TPS contributions — many generic calculators miss the banded pension rate.

Myth 3: “Only large secondary schools have high headteacher salaries”

School group is based on total unit score, not just pupil count. A small primary with high deprivation weighting or a nursery school with complex needs can be in a higher group than a larger but less complex school. For instance, a Group 5 headteacher (range £81,457 to £110,881) could be leading a medium-sized secondary or a challenging primary. The salary data on this site breaks down group ranges, but the key point is: don’t assume a small school means a low salary.

Myth 4: “Deputy heads earn less than headteachers”

Deputy heads and assistant heads also sit on the leadership pay range. Their pay is anchored to the same group ranges as the headteacher, but typically at a lower point within that range. However, a deputy head in a Group 8 school can earn more than a headteacher in a Group 1 school. The advert will specify the individual range for that post. Always compare the range, not the job title.

Myth 5: “The average headteacher salary is published by the government”

The Department for Education publishes school-level pay data via the School Workforce Census and the Teacher Pension Scheme data set. But these show mean and median pay for all teachers at a school, not just the headteacher. The TPS data is more accurate because it is backdated to reflect pay awards, but match rates vary. For headteacher-specific averages, you need to look at the leadership pay range tables from GOV.UK or the STPCD. The ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) provides occupational averages, but for headteachers the sample is small and the range wide.

What about Scotland?

Scotland has its own pay and conditions framework for headteachers, and uses different Income Tax bands (starter, basic, intermediate, higher, top rates). This can significantly affect take-home pay. The figures in this article apply to England only. For Scotland, check the Scottish Government’s SNCT pay agreement.

How to read a headteacher salary advert

When you see an advertised headteacher salary, look for three things: the school group (often stated as “Group X”), the individual salary range (e.g., “L18–L24”), and the location (London fringe, outer London, inner London, or rest of England). The range tells you the minimum and maximum for that post. Progression within the range is based on performance, not automatic increments. If the advert says “negotiable”, ask which points of the range are attached to which responsibilities.

Take-home across the leadership range

To give you a sense of net pay, here are illustrative take-home figures (after TPS, Income Tax and NI) for key points on the 2026/27 leadership range, assuming rest of England and no student loan:

• Bottom of leadership range (£53,586): take-home £38,056 per year (£3,171 per month)
• Group 2 headteacher minimum (£63,688): take-home £43,484 per year (£3,624 per month)
• Group 5 headteacher minimum (£81,457): take-home £52,133 per year (£4,344 per month)
• Group 8 headteacher minimum (£104,059): take-home £63,669 per year (£5,306 per month)
• Top of leadership range (£148,829): take-home £80,843 per year (£6,737 per month)

These figures assume the correct TPS band and full tax/NI. Your actual take-home may differ if you have student loan repayments, salary sacrifice arrangements, or work in Scotland.

Final thoughts

The headteacher salary is one of the most misunderstood figures in UK education pay. The key takeaway is: never rely on a single average. Always check the school group, the specific range, and the region. Use official sources like GOV.UK teacher pay pages and the STPCD. For broader context on how headteacher pay compares to other roles, see our salary index.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average headteacher salary in the UK?

There is no single average headteacher salary. Pay depends on the school's group (based on pupil numbers and weighting), region, and whether the school is in London. In England, headteacher salaries range from about £53,586 to £158,863. The median take-home pay for a headteacher is roughly £59,857, but this varies widely.

How much does a headteacher take home after tax and pension?

Take-home pay depends on gross salary, Teachers' Pension Scheme contributions (9.9% to 12% of gross), Income Tax, and National Insurance. For example, a headteacher on £85,000 gross takes home about £53,941 per year after £9,860 pension, £17,488 Income Tax and £3,711 NI. Use a salary calculator for your specific circumstances.

Can a deputy headteacher earn more than a headteacher?

Yes. Deputy heads and assistant heads are also on the leadership pay range, and their pay is anchored to the school's group range. A deputy head in a large secondary school (Group 7 or 8) can earn more than a headteacher of a small primary school (Group 1 or 2). Always compare the specific range in the job advert.