Teacher Salary Information

In 2026, teachers in New Zealand are moving onto a new salary scale following recent collective agreement settlements. Primary and Secondary teachers generally follow a Unified Base Salary Scale (UBSS). Early Childhood Education (ECE) salaries vary significantly based on whether the provider has opted into government-funded pay parity. 

As of January 2026, the base salary ranges for trained teachers are as follows:

Teacher Base Salaries in New Zealand (NZD January 2026)

Teacher Type Lowest Base Salary Highest Base Salary

Secondary Teachers $61,329 $103,086

Primary Teachers $61,329 $103,086

ECE (Kindergarten) $61,329 $103,086

ECE (Private/Full Parity)$57,358 $96,820

Key Upcoming Increases

A new pay increase is scheduled for January 28, 2026, for Primary and Secondary teachers, followed by another in 2027. 

• Starting Salary (Step 1): Increases from $61,329 to $62,862.

• Top Salary (Step 10): Increases from $103,086 to $105,686.

• Untrained Teachers: The base scale for untrained teachers starts at $53,155 and can reach up to $88,864 (increasing to $91,086 on January 28, 2026). 

Additional Pay Factors

• Allowances: Base salaries exclude units and allowances for middle management or senior roles, which can add significantly to total earnings.

• Qualification Step: A teacher’s starting point on the scale is determined by their salary assessment, with higher qualifications (e.g., Master’s degrees) starting at higher initial steps.

• ECE Disparity: While kindergartens have full parity with schools, some private ECE centers only offer "base" or "extended" parity, capping their highest salaries lower than the national school scale.