Head teachers and principals salary in the UK (2025/26)
Official UK Average earnings data 2025
£70,977
Typical Annual pay range
Understanding Head teachers and principals pay in the UK
The typical head teachers and principals in the UK earns a median salary of £70,977 in 2025/26. These figures come from the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), so they reflect actual reported pay rather than self-reported estimates or job-advert ranges.
The middle half of head teachers and principals earnings fall between £56,666 and £83,340 a year. That spread reflects the usual gap between newer entrants and more experienced head teachers and principals.
Where you work changes the picture: head teachers and principals pay ranges from £60,776 in East Midlands up to £82,282 in Yorkshire and the Humber, a difference of £21,506 (35%). The full regional breakdown is below.
Dig deeper: see head teachers and principals pay in Yorkshire and the Humber, Head teachers and principals vs Social Worker or read how we source and check this data.
How pay varies by region
Yorkshire and the Humber is the highest-paying region for head teachers and principals at £82,282 — 16% above the UK median. East Midlands is lowest at £60,776.
UK median £70,977
| Region | Median payUK median £70,977 | Median | Mean | vs UK median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £82,282 | £82,282 | £83,939 | +16% |
| Wales | £76,119 | £76,119 | £78,448 | +7% |
| North West | £74,657 | £74,657 | £75,025 | +5% |
| North East | £71,526 | £71,526 | £72,099 | +1% |
| London | £71,111 | £71,111 | £77,967 | ±0% |
| Scotland | £67,633 | £67,633 | £64,542 | -5% |
| South East | £67,377 | £67,377 | £68,865 | -5% |
| East of England | £66,126 | £66,126 | £73,759 | -7% |
| South West | £65,735 | £65,735 | £75,302 | -7% |
| West Midlands | £65,291 | £65,291 | £63,431 | -8% |
| East Midlands | £60,776 | £60,776 | £68,895 | -14% |
| Region | Median | vs UK |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire and the Humber £82,282 | £82,282Mean £83,939 | +16% |
| Wales £76,119 | £76,119Mean £78,448 | +7% |
| North West £74,657 | £74,657Mean £75,025 | +5% |
| North East £71,526 | £71,526Mean £72,099 | +1% |
| London £71,111 | £71,111Mean £77,967 | ±0% |
| Scotland £67,633 | £67,633Mean £64,542 | -5% |
| South East £67,377 | £67,377Mean £68,865 | -5% |
| East of England £66,126 | £66,126Mean £73,759 | -7% |
| South West £65,735 | £65,735Mean £75,302 | -7% |
| West Midlands £65,291 | £65,291Mean £63,431 | -8% |
| East Midlands £60,776 | £60,776Mean £68,895 | -14% |
Sorted highest median to lowest. The vertical line marks the UK median (£70,977); ‘Vs UK median’ compares each region’s median to it. Suppressed values mean ONS withheld this figure because the sample was too small to publish.
Make it local
Calculate take-home pay for your region
Choose a region above to see local head teachers and principals pay and calculate your monthly take-home after tax on the local salary page.
Back to region listHow head teachers and principals pay has changed over time
UK median annual pay for head teachers and principals by year (ONS ASHE).
Median salary
▪ 25th–75th percentile range
Pre-2021 figures mapped from SOC 2010 via ONS concordance table
Compare with…
Related roles in Other Educational Professionals
Other published roles in this occupation group. View category overview →