Teacher
Plan and deliver lessons, mark work, and help young people develop.
This UK teacher career guide covers what the role involves day to day, typical salary at each stage, the usual entry route, the skills employers expect, and related careers worth comparing.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £30,000 - £33,000 (UK, NQT)
- Mid-career salary
- £36,000 - £45,000
- Senior salary
- £50,000 - £75,000 (leadership)
- Work environment
- School, lots of contact time + planning
- Time to entry
- 1 - 4 years
- Degree required
- Yes + PGCE or equivalent
- Category
- Education, Science and Research
What a Teacher does
Plan and deliver lessons, mark work, and help young people develop.
- Primary Teacher - Teach all subjects to children aged 5-11.
- Secondary Teacher - Teach a specialist subject to ages 11-18.
- SEN Teacher - Teach pupils with special educational needs.
How to become a Teacher
- Look up Teacher roles on LinkedIn or Indeed and read 5 real job ads
- Talk to someone already working as a Teacher - even a 15-minute call helps
- Find one beginner course or qualification used by people in this role
- Build one small piece of evidence you've explored this (project, shadowing, short course)
- Apply to one entry-level role or related opportunity within the next month
Key skills
- Communication
- Patience
- Subject knowledge
- Classroom management