How much teachers should really earn in South Africa

Teachers in South Africa are set to receive a salary increase in 2025, but the South African Teachers’ Union (SAOU) argues that this adjustment is insufficient to keep up with the rising cost of living. 

The union believes that a fair salary for most teachers should start at R25,000 to R35,000 per month, a range that better reflects their responsibilities, financial pressures, and the broader economic environment.

At the end of January 2025, the government agreed to a 5.5% wage increase for public service workers, which includes teachers.  

This offer, submitted to the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC), also includes inflation-linked adjustments for 2026 and 2027, capped at 6% and bottoming out at 4% to account for any inflationary volatility. 

While the official salary adjustments will only be gazetted by the Department of Basic Education in June 2025, the proposed hikes provide a clear indication of what teachers can expect.

The salary a teacher receives every month in South Africa varies depending on things such as experience and qualifications. Teachers are paid according to a structured salary system.

Entry-level teachers fall within the lowest salary bands, while more experienced educators and school management staff, such as principals and department heads, occupy the higher tiers. 

The lowest salary notch (001) equates to R154,671 per year or approximately R12,900 per month. 

With the proposed 5.5% increase, this figure will rise to R163,178 annually, translating to a monthly salary of about R13,600. 

This means that these teachers are earning up to  R21,400 per month less than what the SAOU believes is fair. 

Although teachers benefit from additional perks such as pension contributions, medical aid subsidies, housing allowances, and bonuses, the SAOU argues that the lower salary levels remain inadequate, given the financial pressures teachers face. 

Why teachers should be paid more in South Africa

The union told BusinessTech that many teachers struggle with high medical aid costs, rising transport expenses, and an ever-increasing workload without adequate pay.

“South African teachers are burdened by overcrowded classrooms, heavy administrative responsibilities, and a lack of adequate support from the government. 

“On top of that, their salaries are not competitive enough to retain skilled professionals, especially as many foreign education systems offer far more attractive remuneration packages,” said the SAOU. 

The SAOU further expressed concerns about the financial difficulties teachers face, particularly in light of the recent 13% increase in medical aid contributions. 

“Many teachers find themselves in extreme financial distress. We have seen reports of teachers withdrawing from their retirement funds to cover outstanding debts, which is a clear indicator of the economic strain they are under,” the union said. 

“Education is consistently acknowledged as the key to reducing poverty and fostering a strong nation. However, the reality is that teacher salaries have not kept pace with the rising costs of fuel, transport, and medical expenses,” it added. 

The SAOU also pointed out that since 2020, there has been no significant salary increase to make up for the financial setbacks teachers have endured. 

“Even the 2024/2025 increase, when offset against the higher medical aid premiums, leaves teachers with a net loss,” the union added. 

SAOU argues that while the starting salary for teachers is important, the real issue lies in the stagnation of annual salary increases, which fail to match inflation and the rising cost of living. 

“A teacher’s salary should be competitive with the market to ensure we retain quality teachers who bring not only knowledge but also experience and skills to the classroom.

“The reality is that educational salaries should align with professional standards that recognise teachers’ training, expertise, and contributions to society,” it said. 

Considering this, the union said that a salary range of R25,000 to R35,000 per month would be a more sustainable benchmark. At the bottom end of the spectrum, this would mean a wage increase of between 83% and 157%. 

However, at the highest end of the government’s salary scale (notch 432), set at R1,209,279 per year (R100,800 per month) in 2024. 

The expected adjustment will push this to R1,275,798 annually, or around R106,300 per month.