There's no single figure that applies to every teacher's salary in Ireland. Instead, there's an official salary scale. Your point on that scale, along with your contract, allowances, and extra payments, will determine your pay. Here, we'll look at the current figures, how it works, how to become a teacher, and the other things you should know before you make a decision.
Key Takeaways
- The official post-primary teacher salary scale runs from €46,948 to €85,411 from 1 February 2026.¹⁰
- The average secondary school teacher salary in Ireland can vary online because salary websites use different samples and methods. Indeed also publishes teacher salary guidance for Ireland, which is useful for the broad context rather than official pay rules.⁶
- A teacher’s pay can change depending on contract type, hours, scale point, allowances, and management responsibilities.
- Salary figures are usually gross annual pay, not take-home pay after tax and deductions.
- Students considering teaching should check the qualification and registration requirements before choosing a training route.⁷
What Is the Average Secondary School Teacher Salary in Ireland?
You'll find a single average if you look for it, and Glassdoor lists salary estimates for teachers, including for secondary school teachers in Ireland.⁵ PayScale publishes a separate average secondary school teacher salary for Ireland.⁹ However, secondary school teacher pay in Ireland is on a scale. A new teacher, an experienced teacher, and a teacher with extra responsibilities can all appear under the same job title while earning different amounts.
Secondary school teacher pay in Ireland is set by official public service pay agreements. The safest figure to use is always the latest Department of Education salary circular, rather than an outdated average from a salary website.⁴
| Scale point | Annual salary from 1 February 2026 | Estimated gross monthly pay |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | €46,948 | €3,912 |
| 2 | €48,606 | €4,051 |
| 3 | €50,500 | €4,208 |
| 5 | €52,611 | €4,384 |
| 6 | €54,138 | €4,512 |
| 7 | €55,899 | €4,658 |
| 9 | €59,216 | €4,935 |
| 10 | €61,932 | €5,161 |
| 11 | €63,628 | €5,302 |
| 13 | €67,679 | €5,640 |
| 14 | €69,713 | €5,809 |
| 15 | €71,415 | €5,951 |
| 16 | €73,668 | €6,139 |
| 17 | €73,668 | €6,139 |
| 18 | €73,688 | €6,141 |
| 19 | €76,773 | €6,398 |
| 20 | €76,773 | €6,398 |
| 21 | €76,773 | €6,398 |
| 22 | €76,773 | €6,398 |
| 23 | €80,875 | €6,740 |
| 24 | €80,875 | €6,740 |
| 25 | €80,875 | €6,740 |
| 26 | €80,875 | €6,740 |
| 27 | €85,411 | €7,118 |
How Secondary School Teacher Pay Scales Work
Teacher pay scales are decided by points. Each point shows a different annual salary level. Your salary is about where you sit on this scale.
The salary scale shows gross annual pay, which means the figure is listed before tax, pension contributions, PRSI, USC, and any other deductions that may apply to an individual teacher.¹
Starting Salary for Newly Qualified Teachers
Salary Progression and Top Scale Pay
from 1 February 2026.¹⁰
from 1 February 2026
What Affects Teacher Salary in Ireland?
Pay for teachers in Ireland depends on more than your title. It can be affected by factors such as contract type, working hours, experience, scale point, and additional responsibilities. Look at the full employment picture before deciding whether to become a teacher or where to work.
Contract and Hours
A full-time, permanent teacher will usually have a clearer annual salary than a part-time, substitute, or temporary teacher, as pay depends on the role, hours, and contract in place. New policy measures announced in 2025 also focused on improving teacher supply by helping teachers access permanent contracts after one year.³
Salary Scale Point
Secondary school teacher salary in Ireland usually rises through an incremental pay scale, so a teacher's point on the scale can matter as much as their job title. The common basic scale starts at €46,948 and reaches €85,411 from 1 February 2026.¹⁰
Posts and Allowances
Some teachers may earn more through eligible allowances, additional duties, or management posts. These extra payments are separate from basic salary, so two teachers on the same scale point may not have the same total annual pay.¹
Contracts, Hours and Substitute Work
Allowances and Management Posts
How to Become a Secondary School Teacher in Ireland
Beyond choosing a subject that you enjoy, think about degree choices, teacher training, classroom experience, and the paperwork needed before applying for recognised posts. Make sure your qualifications match the registration route for the type of teaching work you want to do. Always do your research before applying for any courses. A primary school teacher's salary might feel worth it, but that would be a different qualification.
To work as a recognised teacher in Ireland, qualified teachers generally need to meet Teaching Council registration requirements, so registration status can affect whether someone is eligible for certain teaching posts.⁷
Registration and Qualification Requirements
Finding Work in Secondary Schools
Is Secondary School Teaching a Good Career in Ireland?
If you enjoy your subject and want to work with young people, teaching in a secondary school can be a rewarding career. OECD education data can also help students compare Ireland's teaching and educational context with those of other countries.⁸ The salary scale means you know what you'll be earning, but remember that the job also includes lots of things like lesson planning, marking, classroom management, and ongoing professional development. That said, the pay and job security are good, but the daily demands of school life can be tough. Before you do any of that, remember that you'll need to do a teaching degree.
Pay, Job Security and Career Progression
References
- Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland. “Salary Scales.” ASTI, https://www.asti.ie/your-employment/pay/salary-scales/. Accessed 25 May 2026.
- Department of Education and Youth. “I’m Already a Qualified Teacher, I Want to Work in Ireland.” Gov.ie, 16 Mar. 2020, updated 6 Jan. 2026, https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/publications/im-already-a-qualified-teacher-i-want-to-work-in-ireland/. Accessed 25 May 2026.
- Department of Education and Youth. “Minister McEntee Announces New Policy Measures to Boost Teacher Supply Including Permanent Contracts after One Year.” Gov.ie, 21 Apr. 2025, https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/press-releases/minister-mcentee-announces-new-policy-measures-to-boost-teacher-supply-including-permanent-contracts-after-one-year/. Accessed 25 May 2026.
- Department of Education and Youth. “Revision of Post-Primary Teacher Salaries under The Public Service Agreement 2024–2026 Effective from 01 February 2026.” Gov.ie, Circular 0005/2026, 27 Jan. 2026, https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/circulars/revision-of-post-primary-teacher-salaries-under-the-public-service-agreement-2024-2026-effective-from-01-february-2026/. Accessed 25 May 2026.
- Glassdoor. “Salary: Teacher Secondary School in Ireland.” Glassdoor, May 2026, https://www.glassdoor.ie/Salaries/teacher-secondary-school-salary-SRCH_KO0,24.htm. Accessed 25 May 2026.
- Indeed Editorial Team. “Teacher Salary in Ireland: With Duties, Skills and FAQs.” Indeed Career Guide, 13 Nov. 2025, https://ie.indeed.com/career-advice/pay-salary/how-much-do-teachers-make. Accessed 25 May 2026.
- Irish Statute Book. “Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations 2025.” Irish Statute Book, S.I. No. 482/2025, 16 Oct. 2025, https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2025/si/482/made/en/print. Accessed 25 May 2026.
- OECD. “Education at a Glance 2025: Ireland.” OECD, 9 Sept. 2025, https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/education-at-a-glance-2025_1a3543e2-en/ireland_1ed5ff68-en.html. Accessed 25 May 2026.
- PayScale. “Average Secondary School Teacher Salary in Ireland.” PayScale, 1 Apr. 2025, https://www.payscale.com/research/IE/Job=Secondary_School_Teacher/Salary. Accessed 25 May 2026.
- Teachers’ Union of Ireland. “Common Basic Scale Post 1/1/11.” TUI, https://www.tui.ie/salary-scales-second-level-/common-basic-scale-post-1111.5778.html. Accessed 25 May 2026.
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