Teachers offered 4% pay rise in Northern Ireland

Teachers in Northern Ireland have been offered a 4% pay rise for the 2025/26 financial year, backdated to 1 September 2025.

The offer was made by teaching employers, including the Department of Education, and would see most teachers earn between £1,000 and £2,000 more a year before tax.

A teacher at the bottom of the pay scale would see their salary rise from £31,650 to £32,916, while those at the top would earn about £50,876, up from £48,919.

Teaching unions have welcomed the proposal, describing it as the best achievable under current financial constraints, but each union will now consult its members before taking a final position. Some unions, including NASUWT, have indicated they will recommend acceptance, while others such as INTO and NAHT said they will seek members’ views.

The pay offer was announced on the same day the Northern Ireland Executive published its draft budget. Although education has been allocated additional funding, the sector is still expected to face significant financial pressures.

Employers said the 4% increase reflects what can realistically be afforded amid rising costs. Teachers in England received a similar pay rise in 2025, and Education Minister Paul Givan had previously said he hoped to match that settlement.

Last year, teachers in Northern Ireland accepted a 5.5% pay rise for 2024/25. The Northern Ireland Teachers’ Council said that while teachers may have hoped for more, the offer represents the maximum possible in the current circumstances.

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