Average Head teachers and principals Salary in County Durham UA
ONS ASHE 2025 · North East region · Updated October 2025
How County Durham UA compares
For head teachers and principalss based in the North East, 2025 brought a median salary of £71,526. To put this in perspective, the UK average is £70,977 — making this 0.8% above the norm. This is particularly notable amid well-documented teacher recruitment and retention challenges across the UK. In practical terms, living costs in the North East run 9.9% below average. That means £71,526 stretches to roughly £79,385 in real spending power. Compared to the County Durham UA average across all roles (£29,393), head teachers and principalss take home 143.3% more.
Cost of Living Adjustment
After adjusting for the regional cost of living (North East index: 90.1, UK=100), a salary of £71,526 has an effective purchasing power of approximately £79,385 — equivalent to earning that amount in an area with average UK costs. The cost of living in the North East is 9.9% below the UK average.
Head teachers and principals salary across UK regions
Head teachers and principals salary in areas near County Durham UA
Salary data is by ONS region. County Durham UA is in the North East region. Below are neighbouring regions — click to explore salaries there.
Head teachers and principals Salary Guide
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average head teachers and principals salary in County Durham UA?
The median head teachers and principals salary in the North East (which includes County Durham UA) is £71,526 per year, based on ONS ASHE 2025 data. The mean salary is typically higher due to top earners pulling the average up.
How does head teachers and principals pay in County Durham UA compare to the UK average?
Head teachers and principals in the North East earn 0.8% above the national median of £70,977. This makes the North East one of the higher-paying regions for this role.
Is head teachers and principals a well-paid job in County Durham UA compared to other roles?
The average salary across all jobs in County Durham UA is £29,393. Head teachers and principals in the North East earn £71,526, which is 143.3% above the local average across all occupations.
About this data
Salary figures for head teachers and principalss cover the North East region. The all-jobs average is specific to County Durham UA. Source: ONS ASHE 2025. Methodology.