Short answer
What was confirmed
The Independent Welsh Pay Review Body recommended 4.25%. The Welsh Government consulted on 3.5% instead and confirmed it in a Written Statement on 14 October 2026: 3.5% on teachers' and school leaders' pay scales and allowances, 5% on the unqualified teacher range and 3.5% for FE lecturers, backdated to 1 September 2026 and matching England's award. Our Wales pay rise tracker covers the decision and the Wales pay scales guide has every point.
When the back pay is paid
The Welsh Government left the timing to employers and urged them to pay as soon as possible. The revised School Teachers' Pay and Conditions (Wales) Document was due the week after the announcement, and payroll cut-offs usually fall mid-month, so for most teachers the new rate and the arrears are likely to appear in November or December 2026. Your local authority or school payroll can tell you the month.
Deductions on back pay
- Pension: Teachers' Pension contributions are due on the arrears, at the tier for your new annual pay.
- Income tax: cumulative under PAYE, so taxed at your usual rate across the tax year.
- National Insurance and student loan: worked out on that month's pay alone, so the arrears month shows more.
A big arrears month is not a tax mistake
Frequently asked questions
Is the Welsh 2026/27 teacher pay rise backdated? +
Yes. The Welsh Government's Written Statement of 14 October 2026 confirmed a 3.5% award for teachers and school leaders (5% on the unqualified teacher range, 3.5% for FE lecturers) backdated to 1 September 2026. Any month you were paid at the old rate since September is owed to you as back pay.
When will Welsh teachers get the back pay? +
Employers decide. The Welsh Government said it is for employers to decide when to pay the award and urged them to pass on back pay as soon as possible. The revised STPC(W)D giving the award legal effect was due the week after the announcement, so most local authority and school payrolls are likely to pay it in November or December 2026. Ask your payroll team for the exact month and set it in the calculator.
How much back pay will I get? +
Your monthly rise multiplied by the number of months since September that you were paid the old rate. At the top of the main range, M6 rises from £46,595 to £48,226, about £136 a month before deductions, so back pay paid in December would cover September to November: about £408 before tax, National Insurance and pension.
Is the back pay taxed more heavily? +
Income tax is cumulative under PAYE, so the arrears are taxed at your normal rate, usually 20%. National Insurance and student loan repayments are worked out on that month's pay alone, so the arrears month shows larger deductions. Above about £4,189 in a month, National Insurance falls from 8% to 2%.
Do TLRs and the ALN allowance get back pay too? +
Yes. The 3.5% applies to pay scales and allowances, so a TLR or ALN allowance is uplifted from September and included in the arrears. Enter your 2025/26 allowance in the calculator.
What does the paid report add? +
The free calculator shows your new salary and back pay before deductions. The £4.99 report shows what the back pay is worth after tax, National Insurance, Teachers' Pension and student loan, the full payslip for the month it lands, the arrears month by month and a checklist for checking your payslip. It is a one-off payment with 180 days of access.
Related guides
Wales Teacher Pay Scales 2026/27
Every Welsh point for September 2025 and September 2026.
Wales Pay Rise 2026/27 Tracker
How the 3.5% was decided and confirmed.
Teachers' Pension Contribution Rates 2026/27
The TPS tiers used for your back pay.
Take-Home Pay Calculator
Your normal monthly take-home pay in Wales.