The NUT calls on the School Teachers' Review Body to ignore the government's 2% public sector pay rise target.
The government has still not responded to the review body's request for a fresh remit to review this year's 2.5% rise, in light of higher inflation.
Consumer price inflation (CPI) was 2.8% last month and the Retail Prices Index was 4.5%.
The NUT's submission to the body says: "The government must renew its investment in teachers to secure the high quality education service that is its aim.
"This means pay levels for teachers that are competitive with comparable employment in both private and public sectors, along with matching opportunities for pay and career progression."
It also rejects the government's insistence on the use of the CPI, which excludes housing costs, as the basis for pay settlements.
The NUT said that, at current salary levels, young teachers were ruled out of the house buying market in more than three quarters of cities and towns throughout England and Wales.
