Salary guide · South Africa
Teacher salary South Africa 2026: what a qualified teacher earns per month
A newly qualified teacher with a REQV 14 qualification starts on R366,051 a year from 1 April 2026, which is R30,504.25 a month before tax.
That's notch code 164 on the national educator scale, the entry notch that the Personnel Administrative Measures set for REQV 14. The same scale gives R500,262 a year (R41,688.50 a month) at notch 230, the highest notch for a REQV 14 teacher on post level 1. A promotion to post level 2, such as a departmental head post, starts at notch 210 at least, which is R452,649. We only print what we could confirm: we didn't find the rand entry point for REQV 13, or for principals, so those aren't here.
| Step | Notch code | 1 April 2024 | 1 April 2025 | 1 April 2026 | Per month from 1 April 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry, REQV 14 | 164 | R333,624 | R351,972 | R366,051 | R30,504.25 |
| Lowest notch for post level 2 | 210 | R412,551 | R435,240 | R452,649 | R37,720.75 |
| Highest notch, REQV 14 teacher on post level 1 | 230 | R455,943 | R481,020 | R500,262 | R41,688.50 |
Notch values: OSD Educator salary notches with effect from 1 April 2026, published by the Western Cape Education Department. Which notch applies: Personnel Administrative Measures amendment, Gazette 52227 of 2025, in its worked examples. The monthly figure is our sum: the yearly figure divided by 12.
How much does a teacher take home?
On R30,504.25 a month, PAYE is R4,812.11, and that leaves R25,692.14 before your pension contribution and medical aid. We've taken no UIF off, because SARS lists national and provincial government employees as not covered. Public school educators paid by a provincial department are in the public service pension fund, the GEPF, where members pay 7.5% of pensionable salary. Your payslip is the true source for that line. Type your own figures into our take-home pay calculator.
How much did teacher pay go up in 2026?
On the entry notch, the yearly figure rose from R351,972 to R366,051 on 1 April 2026. That's R14,079 more a year, about 4%, or R1,173.25 more a month before tax. The year before, it rose from R333,624 to R351,972, about 5.5%. These are our sums from the published notch values in the table above.
What is REQV 14?
REQV stands for relative education qualification value. It's the number that the education system gives your qualifications, and your starting notch follows it. Your provincial education department can tell you yours. Check it before you assume the starting salary, because the rand figure here applies only to REQV 14.
Teachers also need to register with the South African Council for Educators. Our teaching jobs guide goes through the route to a post.
Why doesn't the public service table apply?
DPSA Circular 15 of 2026 says it doesn't cover people employed under the Employment of Educators Act. So the Level 1 to 12 table on our public service page isn't the teacher's table. Independent schools and colleges set their own pay, and we have no official figure for them, so we don't give one.
Is there a bursary to become a teacher?
Yes: the Funza Lushaka Bursary. Its page gives 1 October 2026 as the opening date for 2027, and says new applications close on 31 January 2027, and re-applications close on 30 November 2026. First-time applicants must be 30 or younger. To apply, open the government portal at www.eservices.gov.za, choose Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme on the e-Services menu, and click the 2027 application button on the dashboard. It costs nothing to apply, so don't pay an agent.
Where do I find teaching posts?
Provincial education departments advertise their own, usually through vacancy bulletins and their own recruitment systems. Our catalogue had no adverts with teacher in the title on 1 November 2026, so we're not the best source for classroom posts right now. Our education jobs page lists what we have, and Circular 39 of 30 October 2026 has Grade 12 clerk posts at the Eastern Cape Department of Education.
Sources
Checked 2 November 2026. Each figure keeps the period and scope of its source.
Related jobs and guidance
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