Assistant Head Teacher Salary: Hourly, Weekly and Annual Pay Explained

Understanding the Assistant Head Teacher Salary

If you are considering a move into school leadership, the assistant head teacher salary is a key factor. Assistant heads are the first rung on the leadership pay spine, and their pay reflects the additional responsibilities of leading staff, shaping curriculum, and managing school improvement. Unlike classroom teachers who are paid on the main or upper pay range, assistant heads are on a separate leadership scale with points from L1 to L43.

This article explains how assistant head teacher salaries work in England for the 2026/27 academic year, including typical ranges, regional differences, and what you can expect to take home each month. We also compare the role to other teaching positions and answer common questions.

Typical Assistant Head Teacher Salary Ranges

According to the UK Teacher Pay Calculator, assistant head teacher salaries in the rest of England for 2026/27 typically fall between L4 and L14 on the leadership spine. The exact point depends on the school’s size (group), phase (primary or secondary), and the scope of the role.

• Primary assistant heads: usually L4 to L10, equating to £57,699 to £66,956 per year.
• Secondary assistant heads: typically L6 to L14, equating to £60,619 to £73,827 per year.

Small primary schools (Group 1–2) may start at L3 (£56,298), while large secondary schools (Group 7–8) can go up to L16 (£77,676). These are observed patterns across the sector, not statutory minimums. The definitive range for any post is published in the job advert and the school’s pay policy.

GOV.UK national pay scales list the minimum for the leadership group as £49,781 per year (rest of England), but that is the very bottom of the spine (L1). Most assistant head posts start well above that.

Regional Variations

Location has a big impact on assistant head teacher salary. The figures above are for schools outside London. In London, the pay is higher to reflect the higher cost of living:

• London fringe: adds roughly £1,500–£2,000 to rest of England figures.
• Outer London: adds about £4,000–£5,000.
• Inner London: adds around £10,000–£13,000.

For example, an assistant head on L6 earns £60,619 in rest of England, £62,102 in London fringe, £64,871 in Outer London, and £70,754 in Inner London. Inner London primary assistant heads typically sit between L6 and L12 (£70,754–£80,411), while secondary posts range from L8 to L14 (£73,824–£83,960).

Hourly, Weekly and Annual Pay

Assistant head teachers are salaried employees, not paid by the hour. Their annual salary is divided into 12 equal monthly payments. However, you can estimate the weekly and hourly equivalents for comparison:

• Weekly: divide annual salary by 52. For a typical assistant head on L6 (£60,619), that is about £1,165 per week.
• Hourly: full-time teachers are assumed to work around 1,265 hours per year (based on 195 days and 6.5 hours per day). That gives an hourly rate of roughly £45–£58 for typical assistant head salaries.

These hourly rates are far above the National Living Wage (£12.71/hr for 21+) and the National Minimum Wage. They also exceed the average weekly earnings for all employees (£745/week).

Take-Home Pay Considerations

Gross salary is not the same as what lands in your bank account. Assistant head teachers pay income tax, National Insurance, and a Teachers’ Pension contribution. The pension contribution is tiered:

• 9.9% for salaries below £60,000
• 10.5% for salaries between £60,000 and £76,572
• 11.6% for salaries above £76,572

Most assistant heads fall into the 10.5% tier. For a typical assistant head on L6 (£60,619), estimated monthly take-home pay is about £3,491. On L10 (£66,956) it is around £3,764. These figures are from the UK Teacher Pay Calculator and assume standard deductions with no student loans or salary sacrifice.

As you move up the spine, the net gain per point is smaller because more of the increase falls into the 40% tax band and higher pension tier. For example, moving from L12 to L14 adds £3,552 gross but only about £153 per month net.

How Assistant Head Pay Compares to Other Roles

An assistant head teacher salary is higher than a classroom teacher on the upper pay range (U3 is about £52,800 from September 2026). However, a teacher with a TLR 1 (teaching and learning responsibility) can earn more than an assistant head on a low leadership point. The first leadership point L1 (£53,586) is only £750 above the top of the upper pay range.

Headteachers earn significantly more. According to GOV.UK guidance, headteacher salaries start at £56,316 (rest of England) and go up to £148,829 or more for very large schools. Assistant heads are a stepping stone to headship.

Practical Advice for Job Seekers

When looking at job adverts, check the leadership point range offered. The school’s pay policy will state the exact points. Consider the school size and location – a large secondary in Inner London will pay much more than a small primary in a rural area.

Use our pay guides to understand how leadership pay works, and explore pay data for more detailed breakdowns by region and school type. If you are considering part-time work, remember that salary is pro-rated. For example, a 0.6 FTE assistant head on L6 would earn about £36,371 per year.

Summary

The assistant head teacher salary for 2026/27 in England ranges from around £57,699 to £73,827 in the rest of England, with Inner London posts reaching £83,960. These are annual salaries, not hourly rates, and take-home pay is reduced by tax, NI and pension contributions. The role offers a clear path into school leadership and a significant pay increase over classroom teaching, especially in larger schools and London.

For more information, visit UK Minimum Wage for statutory rates, or check the topics section for related articles on teacher pay and leadership roles.