How much do teachers earn in Lithuania? Teacher salaries in Lithuania are determined mainly through the national public-sector remuneration system. For teachers working in public education, pay depends on factors such as pedagogical work experience, qualification category, workload and the complexity of the work.
Unlike countries where individual regions operate completely separate teacher salary systems, Lithuania uses a national legal framework for determining the coefficients used for teachers and other pedagogical employees. Schools then apply the relevant rules to individual employment situations.
The 2026 public-sector salary base amount is €1,798. Teacher salaries are calculated by applying the relevant salary coefficient to this base amount.
Under the 2026 teacher coefficient table, the basic monthly salary coefficient for teachers ranges from approximately 1.1886 to 1.6693, depending on qualification category and recognized pedagogical experience.
That corresponds roughly to €2,137–€3,001 gross per month before applicable workload adjustments, complexity increases, bonuses and taxes.
The figures on this page are primarily based on the national public-sector teacher salary framework. Actual earnings can differ depending on the employment contract, workload, qualification, school, additional responsibilities and legally permitted salary increases.
Teacher salaries in Lithuania are not normally determined by a single nationwide "average salary" figure. Instead, public-sector teacher pay is linked to a salary coefficient and the annual public-sector salary base amount.
For 2026, the official salary base amount is €1,798. Teacher coefficients are then applied according to the teacher's qualification category and pedagogical work experience.
For example, a coefficient of 1.1886 corresponds to a basic monthly salary of approximately €2,137 before other applicable adjustments, while a coefficient of 1.6693 corresponds to approximately €3,001.
These are gross salary calculations. Gross salary is not the same as take-home pay. Income tax, social insurance and other applicable deductions affect the amount a teacher actually receives.
The 2026 national framework sets different coefficients according to qualification category and pedagogical work experience. The main qualification categories used for teachers include teacher, senior teacher, teacher-methodologist and teacher-expert.
The following table shows the 2026 coefficients used for teachers. The monthly gross amounts shown are calculated by multiplying each coefficient by the 2026 base amount of €1,798.
| Qualification Category | Up to 2 Years | 2–5 Years | 5–10 Years | 10–15 Years | 15–20 Years | 20–25 Years | Over 25 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher | 1.1886 €2,137 |
1.1930 €2,145 |
1.2032 €2,163 |
1.2252 €2,203 |
1.2633 €2,271 |
1.2676 €2,279 |
1.2750 €2,292 |
| Teacher with qualification category | 1.2764 €2,295 |
1.2795 €2,300 |
1.2809 €2,303 |
1.2881 €2,316 |
1.2912 €2,321 |
1.2955 €2,329 |
1.3057 €2,348 |
| Senior Teacher | — | 1.3073 €2,351 |
1.3117 €2,358 |
1.3176 €2,369 |
1.3704 €2,464 |
1.3776 €2,477 |
1.3834 €2,487 |
| Teacher-Methodologist | — | — | 1.3967 €2,511 |
1.4216 €2,556 |
1.4669 €2,638 |
1.4730 €2,648 |
1.4832 €2,667 |
| Teacher-Expert | — | — | 1.5872 €2,854 |
1.6136 €2,901 |
1.6547 €2,974 |
1.6620 €2,987 |
1.6693 €3,001 |
Gross monthly figures above are approximate calculations using €1,798 × the relevant coefficient. They are not guaranteed take-home salaries and do not include every possible complexity increase, bonus or other payment.
The Lithuanian public-sector salary system uses a statutory salary base amount for calculating many public-sector salaries.
For 2026, the salary base amount is €1,798. It applies to employees covered by the relevant public-sector remuneration legislation, including employees of state and municipal budgetary institutions.
Because teachers in public schools are covered by the national remuneration framework, this amount is an important component of the teacher salary calculation.
It is important to distinguish between an official salary-scale calculation and a statistical average.
A teacher's actual monthly income depends on the coefficient assigned to the person, employment level, workload, qualification category and any applicable increases for complexity or additional duties.
For this reason, quoting one number as the "average teacher salary in Lithuania" can be misleading. The national salary scale provides a more useful starting point when evaluating a public-school teaching position.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Sport announced that teacher pay increased by 8.41% from January 1, 2026. This consisted of a 0.71% increase in the salary base amount and a 7.65% increase in salary coefficients. Ministry information also stated that Finance Ministry calculations projected an average increase of about €157 net per month for teachers in 2026.
Most public-school teacher salary discussions in Lithuania use a monthly gross salary because the coefficient system produces a monthly salary calculation.
| Teacher Level | Approximate Gross Monthly Base Salary |
|---|---|
| Teacher, lowest listed coefficient | About €2,137 |
| Teacher, highest listed standard teacher coefficient | About €2,348 |
| Senior Teacher | About €2,351–€2,487 |
| Teacher-Methodologist | About €2,511–€2,667 |
| Teacher-Expert | About €2,854–€3,001 |
These amounts are useful benchmarks for full-time public-sector employment but should not be treated as guaranteed take-home salaries.
Pedagogical work experience is an important factor in the Lithuanian teacher salary system.
The national table divides experience into several bands:
The coefficient generally increases as recognized pedagogical experience increases, although the exact increase depends on the teacher's qualification category.
Qualification category is another major factor affecting teacher pay. Lithuanian teachers can progress through professional qualification categories that recognize professional competence and experience.
| Qualification Category | General Salary Position |
|---|---|
| Teacher | Entry and standard teacher qualification level |
| Senior Teacher | Higher professional qualification and experience |
| Teacher-Methodologist | Advanced professional qualification |
| Teacher-Expert | Highest teacher qualification category in the standard progression |
Moving into a higher qualification category can therefore be an important way of improving long-term earning potential as a teacher.
Primary education teachers are included within the national teacher remuneration framework. Their salary is not determined by a separate Vilnius, Kaunas or Klaipėda salary scale.
A primary teacher's salary depends on the applicable qualification category, pedagogical experience, workload and any relevant complexity increases.
For a teacher with a standard qualification category, the 2026 coefficients can produce a gross monthly base salary of roughly €2,295–€2,348, depending on recognized experience.
See also: Primary Teacher Salary in Lithuania
Secondary-school teachers are also paid under the national teacher remuneration framework. Their salary depends on qualification, pedagogical experience and workload rather than simply on whether the school is located in Vilnius or another city.
Teachers who progress to senior teacher, methodologist or expert qualification categories can have higher coefficients.
See: Secondary Teacher Salary in Lithuania
Kindergarten and pre-school education teachers are covered by specific provisions within the Lithuanian teacher remuneration system.
The 2026 framework also specifies working-time arrangements for teachers working under pre-school education programmes.
Teachers working with children with special educational needs or in other more complex circumstances may also qualify for additional salary increases under the applicable rules.
See: Kindergarten Teacher Salary in Lithuania
Special education can involve additional responsibilities and more complex teaching conditions.
Lithuanian remuneration rules allow salary coefficients to be increased for teachers working in certain environments involving pupils with special educational needs. Depending on the circumstances, the applicable increase can be significant.
This means that a teacher should not compare only the basic qualification coefficient when evaluating a special-education position.
See: Special Education Teacher Salary in Lithuania
Teacher pay is closely connected to workload. A full-time teacher salary should therefore not automatically be compared with a salary advertised for a partial position.
Lithuanian rules provide a maximum working-time norm of 36 hours per week for teachers working under general education, formal vocational education and certain non-formal education programmes.
Teacher working time is not simply classroom teaching. It can include:
This is important when comparing Lithuanian teaching jobs with jobs in other countries, because the number of classroom hours alone does not represent the complete workload.
Lithuania's public-school teacher remuneration system should not be interpreted using the Swiss-style assumption of a standard 13th salary.
The salary figures on this page are monthly gross salary calculations based on the applicable coefficient and the 2026 base amount.
Any bonuses, annual payments, supplements or additional remuneration should be checked against the individual employment contract and the school's applicable remuneration system.
The basic coefficient is not always the end of the calculation. Lithuanian rules provide for increases to the salary coefficient in certain situations where teaching is considered more complex.
Examples can include teaching pupils with significant or very significant special educational needs and working in certain specialised educational settings.
Other provisions can apply to teachers working with pupils who do not speak Lithuanian or who have recently arrived in Lithuania.
Two teachers with the same qualification category and experience can potentially have different gross salaries if their working conditions and responsibilities qualify for different salary-coefficient increases.
Vilnius is Lithuania's largest city and has a large education sector, including public schools, private schools, international schools, language schools and higher-education institutions.
Public-school teacher salaries in Vilnius are primarily governed by the national remuneration system rather than a separate "Vilnius teacher salary scale."
However, the local labour market can influence the number of vacancies, competition for teachers and opportunities for additional employment such as tutoring or private education.
Kaunas is another major Lithuanian education centre with numerous schools, universities and vocational education institutions.
Public-school teacher salaries are based on the national framework, while the availability of teaching positions and local cost of living can differ from Vilnius.
Klaipėda has a significant school and vocational education sector and is Lithuania's main port city.
Teachers working in public schools generally fall under the same national salary framework as teachers elsewhere in Lithuania.
Šiauliai and Panevėžys also offer teaching opportunities in public schools, vocational education and other educational institutions.
The national salary coefficient framework means that a teacher's basic salary is not simply reduced because the school is located outside Vilnius.
However, teachers should compare local housing costs, commuting, additional employment opportunities and the availability of teaching positions when choosing where to work.
International schools operate differently from the standard public-school system. Salary packages may be negotiated directly with the school and can depend on:
International-school salaries therefore should not automatically be compared with the national public-school coefficient table.
See: International School Teacher Salary in Lithuania
English teachers can work in public schools, private schools, language schools, international schools, adult education and private tutoring.
The salary can vary significantly depending on the employer and whether the position is full-time or part-time.
A recognised teaching qualification can be particularly valuable for public-school employment, while language schools may use different hiring criteria.
Lithuania also has specific rules concerning the employment of certain foreign-language teachers when schools cannot find a suitably qualified teacher.
See: English Teacher Salary in Lithuania
Vocational education is an important part of Lithuania's education system. Teachers and instructors in vocational education can have different professional backgrounds from general-education teachers.
Salary depends on the relevant qualification category, experience, workload and institutional remuneration rules.
See: Vocational Teacher Salary in Lithuania
School leaders are covered by separate provisions within the public-sector remuneration system.
The salary coefficient for a school leader depends on factors including the number of students, pedagogical experience, complexity of the activity and other legally defined criteria.
Therefore, a school principal's salary cannot be calculated simply by applying the ordinary teacher coefficient.
See: School Principal Salary in Lithuania
Yes. Foreign teachers can work in Lithuania, but their requirements depend on the position, qualification, nationality, school and teaching language.
Teachers with foreign qualifications may need to have their qualifications assessed or recognised where required.
The Study Quality Assessment Center (SKVC) provides information and procedures concerning recognition of foreign qualifications, while professional recognition requirements can depend on the specific profession and competent authority.
For teachers working in Lithuanian-language public education, Lithuanian language competence is particularly important.
Lithuanian law establishes state-language proficiency categories, and teachers who teach in the state language are subject to the relevant requirements.
The current state-language framework identifies the third state-language proficiency category with at least B2-level Lithuanian, while teachers educating in the state language are among the positions to which the third category applies.
This makes Lithuanian considerably more important for a foreign teacher seeking a regular Lithuanian-language public-school position than it would be for some positions in international schools.
If you obtained your teaching qualification outside Lithuania, check the recognition requirements before assuming that your qualification gives you the same professional rights as a Lithuanian teaching qualification.
SKVC explains that foreign qualifications can be assessed by comparing their level, purpose, duration, quality and learning outcomes with Lithuanian qualifications.
Depending on the qualification and circumstances, recognition can involve full recognition, recognition with specific rights, additional requirements or other decisions.
Do not assume that a foreign teaching degree automatically gives you unrestricted professional access to every teaching position in Lithuania. Check qualification, language, immigration and employer requirements before applying.
Lithuania updated its teacher qualification rules in 2026.
Under the updated rules, where a school cannot find a suitably qualified teacher for certain foreign languages, including English, German, French, Spanish or Polish, certain foreign citizens may be able to teach their native language under specified conditions.
The rules include requirements concerning residence rights, education and acquiring the required pedagogical and subject competencies within specified periods.
This can create an additional route into teaching for some foreign-language specialists, but it should not be interpreted as a general exemption from Lithuanian teacher qualification requirements.
Foreign teachers may find opportunities in several parts of Lithuania's education market.
International schools and foreign-language positions can sometimes be more accessible to teachers who are still learning Lithuanian, while Lithuanian-language public-school positions generally have stronger Lithuanian-language requirements.
The highest teacher income is not necessarily associated with a particular school subject. Qualification category, experience, workload and additional responsibilities can have a large effect.
Teachers seeking higher long-term earnings may consider progression toward:
The 2026 coefficient table places the highest standard teacher-expert coefficient shown on this page at 1.6693, which corresponds to approximately €3,001 gross per month using the €1,798 base amount.
A teacher's gross salary should always be considered together with the cost of living. Housing costs can be particularly important in Vilnius, while smaller cities may offer lower housing expenses.
Before accepting a teaching position, compare the expected net salary with:
Useful Lithuania guides:
Salary negotiation depends heavily on the type of employer.
In public schools, the national legal framework and the applicable salary coefficient system limit how much an individual teacher can simply negotiate the basic salary. Qualification, experience, workload and legally permitted increases are important.
Private and international schools may have more flexibility in setting individual employment packages.
When comparing teaching offers, look at:
| Teaching Career | Salary Information |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teacher | National teacher salary framework; qualification, experience and workload determine pay |
| Primary Teacher | National teacher salary framework; higher qualification categories generally have higher coefficients |
| Secondary Teacher | National teacher salary framework; experience and qualification category are important |
| Special Education Teacher | Teacher salary framework plus possible increases for work complexity |
| Senior Teacher | 2026 coefficients approximately 1.3073–1.3834 |
| Teacher-Methodologist | 2026 coefficients approximately 1.3967–1.4832 |
| Teacher-Expert | 2026 coefficients approximately 1.5872–1.6693 |
| International School Teacher | Depends on school, curriculum, qualification and experience |
| English Teacher | Depends on employer, qualification, experience and teaching environment |
| Vocational Teacher | Depends on qualification, experience, workload and institution |
| School Principal | Separate management salary provisions apply |
There is no single teacher salary in Lithuania. The 2026 teacher salary framework uses coefficients based on qualification category and pedagogical experience. Using the €1,798 salary base, standard teacher coefficients shown in the national table correspond to roughly €2,137–€3,001 gross per month across the teacher and higher qualification categories.
An exact average can be misleading because teacher salaries vary according to workload, experience, qualification category and additional payments. The national salary coefficient system is therefore a better benchmark for public-school teachers than a single national average.
For a teacher without a higher qualification category and with up to two years of pedagogical experience, the 2026 coefficient shown in the national table is 1.1886. Using the €1,798 base amount, this corresponds to approximately €2,137 gross per month before applicable adjustments and deductions.
An experienced teacher can move into higher experience bands and may also progress to higher qualification categories. A teacher-expert with more than 25 years of pedagogical experience has a coefficient of 1.6693 under the 2026 table, corresponding to about €3,001 gross per month before additional payments and taxes.
Primary teachers are covered by the national teacher remuneration system. Their salary depends on qualification category, recognised pedagogical experience, workload and any applicable complexity increases.
Secondary teachers are also covered by the national remuneration system. Salary depends on qualification category, pedagogical experience, workload and other applicable factors.
Kindergarten and pre-school teachers are covered by specific provisions of the national teacher remuneration system. Their salary depends on the applicable coefficient, experience, qualification and workload.
There is no standard Swiss-style 13th salary included in the teacher salary calculation on this page. The figures are based on monthly gross salary coefficients and the 2026 salary base amount.
Yes. Foreign teachers can work in Lithuania, but requirements depend on the position. Foreign qualifications may need recognition or assessment, and teachers working in Lithuanian-language education must meet applicable Lithuanian language requirements.
For teachers educating in the Lithuanian state language, Lithuanian language competence is an important legal requirement. International schools and some foreign-language positions can have different language requirements.
Yes, depending on qualifications and the position. International schools, private schools, language schools and certain foreign-language teaching positions can provide opportunities. Public-school positions taught in Lithuanian generally have stronger language and qualification requirements.
In certain circumstances, Lithuania's 2026 teacher qualification rules allow a foreign citizen who meets specified education, residence and other requirements to teach their native foreign language when a school cannot find a suitably qualified teacher. The specific conditions and time limits should be checked before accepting a position.
For public-sector teachers, salary is calculated using the applicable salary coefficient and the statutory salary base amount, with additional adjustments possible depending on work complexity, workload and other applicable rules.
The 2026 public-sector salary base amount is €1,798.
Within the standard teacher coefficient table shown on this page, the highest coefficient is 1.6693 for a teacher-expert with more than 25 years of pedagogical experience. Using the €1,798 base amount, this is approximately €3,001 gross per month before applicable additional payments and deductions.
The basic public-school teacher salary framework is national rather than a separate Vilnius or Kaunas salary scale. However, local schools, workloads, employment opportunities and cost of living can differ between cities.
Foreign professional experience may be relevant, but the exact treatment depends on the applicable employment and qualification rules. Foreign teachers should provide documentation of their previous education and professional experience and confirm how it will be treated by the employer.
Teaching can offer relatively stable employment, structured professional qualification progression and opportunities to work in public, private and international education. However, teachers should compare salary with housing costs, workload, commuting and other living expenses before choosing a position.
LithuaniaInfo has separate salary and employment guides for different professions. Use these pages to compare teaching with other careers in Lithuania.