Probationer teacher salary in Scotland
A probationer teacher in Scotland earns £36,159 a year from 1 August 2026. This is point 0 on the SNCT main grade scale, and it covers the 2026 to 2027 induction year.
Take-home pay
From a salary of £0 a year
Estimate for a full-time teacher with tax code 1257L and Scottish income tax for 2026/27, the teachers' pension at the tier for your salary, and National Insurance on an annual basis. Your payslip can differ slightly because tax and NI are worked out each month.
Main grade scale
Same scale for primary and secondary. Increments due 1 August: one point per salary year (1 Aug to 31 Jul) with 26 weeks or more of teaching service; part-time weeks count. Probationers move to Point 1 after full GTCS registration, from the first day of employment after 1 August.
| Point | From 1 April 2026 | From 1 August 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Point 0 (Probationer) | £35,022 | £36,159 |
| Point 1 | £42,018 | £43,383 |
| Point 2 | £44,400 | £45,843 |
| Point 3 | £46,977 | £48,504 |
| Point 4 | £49,959 | £51,582 |
| Point 5 | £52,740 | £54,453 |
Source: SNCT salary scales as published by the EIS. Checked 1 October 2026.
Probationer pay
| Date | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| From 1 August 2025 | £34,938 |
| From 1 April 2026 | £35,022 |
| From 1 August 2026 | £36,159 |
Primary and secondary probationers get the same salary. It is a full-time rate, even though probationers teach a reduced timetable.
What a probationer takes home
| Item | Per year |
|---|---|
| Gross salary | £36,159 |
| Pension at 7.35% | £2,658 |
| Income tax | £4,186 |
| National Insurance | £1,887 |
| Take-home | £27,428 |
That works out at about £2,286 a month. A Plan 4 student loan takes about £18 a month, leaving roughly £2,268. A Plan 2 loan takes about £51 a month.
These figures use 2026/27 tax rates and a standard tax code. Any preference waiver payment comes on top, with tax and National Insurance taken off.
The Teacher Induction Scheme
The Teacher Induction Scheme (TIS) gives every eligible new graduate a guaranteed one-year, full-time post in a Scottish council. The year is about 190 teaching days.
- Class contact is capped at 0.8 of a full-time timetable.
- The rest of the week is protected for professional learning.
- A fully registered teacher supports you through the year.
- Your progress is assessed against the Standard for Full Registration.
Student teachers apply to GTC Scotland for provisional registration during the autumn semester before they qualify. The same form collects their council preferences. About 90% of graduating student teachers choose the scheme.
Preference waiver payment
Student teachers can tick a box to accept a post in any council in Scotland. In return they get a preference waiver payment.
| Sector | Payment |
|---|---|
| Secondary | £8,000 |
| Primary | £6,000 |
Your council pays it in three instalments, and the timing varies between councils. Income tax and National Insurance come off, so the cash you receive is lower. You must complete the full induction year to get the whole amount.
Think about this choice carefully. If you turn down your allocated council, you lose the payment and your place on the scheme.
The Flexible Route
Some new teachers skip the scheme and find their own posts instead. To gain full registration this way, you need 190 continuous days in one school or 270 days across several. There is no guaranteed post and no preference waiver payment.
After probation
Once GTC Scotland grants full registration, you move to point 1 of the main grade. The move applies from your first day of employment after 1 August. At current rates, point 1 is £43,383, a rise of £7,224 on the probationer salary.
Quick answers
- How much is a probationer teacher paid in Scotland?
£36,159 a year from 1 August 2026. Between 1 April and 31 July 2026 the rate was £35,022.
- How much is the preference waiver payment?
£8,000 for secondary probationers and £6,000 for primary, before tax and National Insurance. It is paid in three instalments by your council.
- Do you have to pay back the preference waiver payment?
You must complete the full induction year to receive the full payment. Declining your allocated council means losing the payment and your place on the scheme.
- How much do probationer teachers take home each month?
About £2,286 a month on £36,159, after pension, tax and National Insurance. With a Plan 4 student loan it is about £2,268.
- When does a probationer move up to point 1?
After full registration with GTC Scotland, from the first day of employment after 1 August. Point 1 is £43,383 at 2026 rates.