The latest teacher salary scales in South Africa show that qualified teachers receive much better pay packages than many people believe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Department of Basic Education publishes an annual salary adjustment report for teachers in South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This report details teacher salary notches, which range significantly based on qualification, experience, and seniority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lowest salary scale for educators is R154,671 per year, while the highest salary is R1.209 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taking inclusive packages into consideration, this maximum can reach as high as R1.6 million<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The latest data shows that South Africa’s public education system employs around 410,000 teachers in 25,000 schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These teachers\u2019 salaries come from taxpayers’ money flowing to the Department of Basic Education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana allocated an additional R25.7 billion to the education sector in his February 2024 budget speech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The additional money was necessary for the carry-through costs of wage increases over the medium term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This money formed part of the R481 billion spent on learning and culture in the current financial year. R303 billion will go towards basic education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Irene Pampallis\u2019s research paper titled, What do teachers earn?<\/em>, said teacher salaries are the largest single line item in the South African budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She said teacher salaries accounted for one-third of all public sector wages and 10% of total government expenditure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt is important to understand how much teachers earn, how their pay packages and benefits are structured, and how this differs by age and experience,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThese factors will influence how many younger teachers can be employed as older teachers retire.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She said South Africa had a common perception that teacher salaries are low relative to comparable professions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is often based on incorrect information about what constitutes a teacher\u2019s \u2018full package,\u2019 including benefits,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A teacher\u2019s basic salary is determined by their notch on the salary scales published in the Government Gazette.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The notch on which a teacher enters public service depends on their qualifications and years of experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, a teacher with a matric and four years of university education would enter Notch 164. This translates to a basic annual salary of R333,624 in their first year of employment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Teachers who meet minimum performance requirements move up to a higher salary notch each year they remain in government service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This means that teachers’ salaries increase with experience. As such, older teachers will earn more than younger teachers with the same qualifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When a teacher gets a promotion, they will get more money as they will be moved to a higher salary notch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This means that department heads, deputy principals, and principals earn much more than ordinary teachers with the same qualifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is not where the teacher remuneration story ends. The total pay package includes many other benefits each month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n State-employed teachers receive an employer pension contribution, equal to 13% of their basic salary, and a thirteenth cheque.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All teachers who choose to join the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) receive a medical aid subsidy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Teachers who own or rent a property may also apply for a housing allowance, which is around R1,500 per month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How much teachers earn in 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The table below provides an overview of teachers’ annual salaries in 2024 based on qualifications and experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Teachers who have a Relative Equivalent Qualification Value (REQV) 13 (Matric plus three years of study) would earn a starting salary of R256,395 per year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By comparison, the minimum entry for an educator with REQV14 (Matric plus four years of study) is R333,624.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It should be noted that the table only provides the high-end salary of school principals. The salaries can be much lower for smaller schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n