Teacher Pay vs Inflation 2026/27: Does Your Rise Beat 3.5% CPI?
September 2026 CPI is 3.5%. How the 2026/27 teacher pay awards in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland compare, and what it means for your salary in pounds.
Independent guidance, not affiliated with the DfE, Teachers' Pensions or any teaching union.
Short answer
Where do you teach?
Full-time equivalent, before tax.
Your rise after inflation
+0.0%
3.5% award against 3.5% CPI
Pay to keep pace with prices
£47,610
Your pay after the award: £47,610
Ahead of inflation by
£0
A year, before tax
England: Confirmed 1 July 2026. A simple comparison of this year's award with September's CPI; your own costs may rise faster or slower.
What does £47,610 leave you each month?
See your 2026/27 pay after tax, National Insurance, pension and student loan.
2026/27 awards against September 2026 CPI
| Nation | 2026/27 award | From | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | 3.5% | 1 September 2026 | +0.0% |
| Wales | 3.5% | 1 September 2026 | +0.0% |
| Scotland | 3.25% | 1 August 2026 | -0.2% |
| Northern Ireland | None yet | Not yet agreed | -3.4% |
"After inflation" is the award divided by the rise in prices: how much more, or less, the same salary buys than a year ago. Scotland's award took effect a month earlier, on 1 August, and follows 4% from August 2025 and 4.25% from April 2026 under the same two-year deal. For the longer view since 2010, see has teacher pay fallen since 2010.
Free tool Teaching in Northern Ireland? See the back pay you'd be owed No 2026/27 award yet. Pick your point and an assumed award to see your new salary and back pay since September.Northern Ireland: the gap grows each month
NI teachers are still on the September 2025 scale (DE Circular 2026/07). With prices 3.5% higher than a year ago, M6 at £43,830 would need about £1,534 more a year to keep pace. The last two NI awards were backdated to 1 September, so the months since then should come as back pay once an award is agreed. Our NI pay rise tracker follows the talks.
Wales: confirmed, and owed from September
Wales confirmed its 3.5% on 14 October 2026, backdated to 1 September. Until your payroll pays the new rate, you are owed the difference for every month since. The Wales back pay calculator shows how much.
Inflation also sets your pension increase
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2026/27 teacher pay rise above inflation? +
In England and Wales it matches it: a 3.5% award against September 2026 CPI of 3.5%, published by the ONS on 21 October 2026. Scotland's 3.3% is slightly below. Northern Ireland has no 2026/27 award yet, so pay there is falling in real terms until one is agreed.
Why compare with September CPI? +
It is the most recent official inflation figure, published in October, and it is the figure used for public service pension increases. A pay award is set once a year, so comparing it with the latest annual inflation rate shows roughly whether it keeps pace. Your own costs may rise faster or slower than the CPI basket.
What does this mean for Northern Ireland teachers? +
With no 2026/27 award, NI teachers are still paid the September 2025 scale. Prices are 3.5% higher than a year ago, so M6 at £43,830 would need about £1,534 more just to keep pace. Recent NI awards have been backdated to September, so when an award is agreed the months since September should be paid as back pay.
Does inflation affect my pension too? +
Yes. September CPI sets the April increase: pensions in payment and deferred pensions are expected to rise by 3.5% from April 2027, and active members' career average pensions by CPI plus 1.6.
Related guides
Has Teacher Pay Fallen Since 2010?
Real-terms teacher pay over the long run.
Teachers' Pension Increase April 2027
What September 2026 CPI adds to your pension.
NI Teacher Back Pay Calculator
Back pay owed when the 2026/27 NI award is agreed.
Wales Teacher Back Pay Calculator
The 3.5% owed since September.