News

Graduates face 20 per cent pay gap if they choose teaching

Figures show classroom pay is lagging behind that of other graduate professions, sparking concerns that teaching can no longer compete. Pete Henshaw takes a look.

Major graduate recruiters are offering almost 20 per cent more in average earnings than the current starting point on the teachers’ main pay range.

Furthermore, the average level of pay increases offered by the leading graduate recruiters during the first five years are by far outstripping what schools can offer.

The stark pay gap has sparked fears that schools are struggling to compete against other graduate professions when it comes to recruiting teachers, especially in shortage areas such as STEM.

The figures have been revealed in a report by Incomes Data Services (IDS), commissioned by the NASUWT. The report is based on comparisons between teachers’ remuneration and that of selected graduate professions including science, engineering, health professionals, legal professionals, accountancy, business analysts and chartered surveyors.

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