School secretaries Salary
Median salary £22,155 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.
Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £22,000 after tax and National Insurance →
For school secretaries, £26,463 is the typical (median) pay. That is well below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -32% versus the national average. Experienced school secretaries (top 25%) earn over £27,528.
About this role
School secretaries manage the administrative operations of schools, handling pupil admissions, attendance records, communications with parents, financial administration and day-to-day office management within the school environment.
Key responsibilities
- Managing school reception and handling parent and visitor enquiries
- Maintaining pupil records, admissions and attendance data
- Processing school correspondence and communications
- Supporting school financial administration and budget monitoring
- Coordinating with teaching staff, governors and local authority
Qualifications and entry routes
Administrative experience is essential. SIMS (school information management system) proficiency is widely required. GCSEs or equivalent are typical entry requirements. DBS check is mandatory.
Career outlook
Every school needs administrative support. Academy trusts are centralising some functions but individual school secretaries remain essential for day-to-day operations.
Key skills
Common industries
- Primary schools
- Secondary schools
- Academy trusts
- Independent schools
- Special schools
Data coverage
Median Salary
£22,155
Mean Salary
£21,807
Jobs (000s)
23k
Data Years
11 years
Salary Range (2025)
Estimated Career Progression
Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation
Entry Level
£10,090
0-2 years
Mid Level
£14,834
3-7 years
Senior
£27,528
8-15 years
Potential career growth: +173% from entry to leadership
Salary Trend (2015-2025)
Gender Pay Comparison (2025)
Full-time vs All Employees (2025)
All Employees
£22,155
Full-time Only
£26,463
Full-time premium: +£4,308
School secretaries salary: common questions
How much do school secretaries earn in the UK?
Is £26,463 a good salary in the UK?
What is the starting salary for school secretaries?
Have school secretaries salaries kept up with inflation?
Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).
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