London is the second highest-paying city for teachers in the UK in 2025, according to new data. The study reveals growing pay differences between cities, which may influence where teachers decide to work and affect education quality nationwide.
Leeds tops the list with an average teacher salary of £64,700 per year. London follows closely with £64,550, and Glasgow comes next at £63,600. Cardiff, Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh also offer salaries above £60,000. The national average teacher salary is £54,694, while some regions pay as low as £45,600, showing a notable gap.
This pay gap could cause more teachers to move to higher-paying cities, leaving lower-paid areas struggling to attract and retain quality educators. Families may also relocate to cities with better-paid teachers to access improved education for their children. Remote work options make such moves easier, potentially increasing demand in those cities.
Some northern cities offer a lower cost of living, which can balance out lower salaries and provide teachers with a better quality of life. With ongoing budget cuts across councils, many teachers may soon face difficult decisions about where to work.
London remains a top city for teacher pay, but competition from northern cities is growing. Addressing pay disparities will be key to maintaining education standards and supporting teachers across the UK.
