Teacher Salary in South Africa 2026: Pay by Post Level

Quick answer: A newly qualified teacher with a four-year degree (REQV 14) in a South African public school earns about R366 051 a year (roughly R30 504 a month before tax) in 2026/27. Teachers with only matric plus some training (REQV 10–12) start lower, at R169 707 a year, while principals at the top of the scale can earn up to R1 326 822. These figures include the 4% cost-of-living increase that took effect on 1 April 2026.

This guide explains how teacher pay works in South Africa, what each post level earns after the 2026 increase, which benefits come on top of the basic salary, and how to get a government teaching post.

How teacher salaries are set in South Africa

Public-school teachers are employed under the Employment of Educators Act. Their pay is not negotiated school by school. Instead, it follows national salary scales published by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) in the Government Gazette.

Salary notches: the scale runs from notch 1 to notch 432. Each notch is a fixed annual amount, and your post and qualifications decide which range of notches you can be paid on.
REQV level: your "relative education qualification value" counts your years of recognised study after matric. REQV 13 is usually a three-year diploma or degree; REQV 14 is a four-year teaching degree (such as a BEd) or a degree plus a PGCE.
Annual adjustment: every April the whole scale moves up by the cost-of-living increase agreed for the public service at the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC).

What changed in 2026: the 4% increase

Under PSCBC Resolution 1 of 2025, read with DPSA Circular 20 of 2026, salaries for public servants rose by 4% from 1 April 2026. The Minister of Basic Education gazetted the matching changes for educators, so every notch on the teacher scale is now 4% higher than it was in 2025/26.

For example, the lowest notch moved from R163 179 to R169 707 a year, and the highest moved from R1 275 789 to R1 326 822.

Teacher salary by post level in 2026/27

The figures below are annual basic salaries (gross, before tax and deductions) from 1 April 2026. Monthly amounts are the annual figure divided by 12, rounded.

Post Level 1: classroom teachers

Teacher, REQV 10–12 (matric plus some training): starts at R169 707 a year (about R14 142 a month) and can rise to R600 504 with experience.
Teacher, REQV 13 (three-year qualification): senior teacher posts range from R431 640 to R600 504; master teacher posts from R505 302 to R600 504.
Teacher, REQV 14–17 (four-year degree or higher): starts at R366 051 a year (about R30 504 a month) and can reach R794 151.
Senior teacher, REQV 14–17: R431 640 to R794 151.
Master teacher, REQV 14–17: R505 302 to R794 151.

Post Level 2: departmental head (HOD)

R452 649 to R1 094 826 a year (about R37 721 to R91 236 a month).

Post Level 3: deputy principal

R535 146 to R1 183 578 a year (about R44 596 to R98 632 a month).

Post Level 4: principal

Principals at the highest grading earn R892 764 to R1 326 822 a year (about R74 397 to R110 569 a month). A principal's exact range depends on the size and grading of the school.

Remember: these are basic salaries. Your take-home pay will be lower after PAYE tax, pension contributions, UIF and medical aid, and higher if you qualify for allowances.

Benefits on top of the basic salary

Government teachers receive the standard public-service benefits package. The main items are:

Pension: the employer contributes 13% of basic salary to the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF).
13th cheque: an annual service bonus equal to one month's basic salary.
Medical aid subsidy: a monthly subsidy if you belong to the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS).
Housing allowance: a monthly allowance for qualifying teachers who own or rent a home, reported at around R2 000 a month.

Is teacher pay keeping up with inflation?

Not fully. An analysis published by BusinessTech in August 2026 estimated that the entry salary for a REQV 14 teacher rose by about 31.4% since 2019, while prices rose by about 37.8% over the same period. On that calculation, a new teacher today earns about R17 915 less a year in real terms than in 2019. It is worth keeping in mind when you compare teaching with other graduate careers.

How to become a teacher in a public school

Get a recognised teaching qualification. A BEd degree, or a degree followed by a PGCE, puts you at REQV 14 and the higher entry salary. The government's Funza Lushaka bursary can pay for teaching studies in priority subjects.
Register with SACE. You must be registered with the South African Council for Educators to teach in South Africa.
Watch provincial vacancy lists. Teaching posts are advertised by provincial education departments, often in large "open vacancy" bulletins. Some education-department posts also appear in the weekly DPSA vacancy circular.
Apply with a Z83 form. Government posts use the Z83 application form plus a CV and supporting documents. Our guide on how to fill in the Z83 form walks you through it.
Prepare for the interview. School governing bodies usually shortlist and interview candidates before the department appoints.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a new teacher earn in South Africa in 2026?

A new teacher with a four-year qualification (REQV 14) starts at R366 051 a year, or about R30 504 a month before tax. A teacher with a lower qualification (REQV 10–12) starts at R169 707 a year.

When did the 2026 teacher salary increase take effect?

The 4% cost-of-living increase took effect on 1 April 2026 for all educators employed under the Employment of Educators Act.

How much does a school principal earn in South Africa?

Principals at the highest grading earn between R892 764 and R1 326 822 a year in 2026/27. Principals of smaller schools are paid on lower ranges.

Do teachers get a 13th cheque?

Yes. Public-school teachers receive an annual service bonus (13th cheque), plus employer pension contributions, a GEMS medical aid subsidy and, if they qualify, a housing allowance.

Do private school teachers earn the same?

No. Independent schools set their own pay, which can be higher or lower than the government scales. The figures in this guide apply to state-paid posts in public schools.

Find teaching jobs on Jobsiz

Browse the latest teaching jobs in South Africa or explore all jobs in South Africa. Comparing public-sector careers? See our nurse salary guide for 2026 and the national minimum wage for 2026.

Sources

Salary figures verified on 23 October 2026. Gazetted scales are the final authority; check with your provincial education department for your exact notch.