South African Teachers’ Salaries Revealed: How Much Educators Earn in 2026

• Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube gazetted new educator salary scales that came into effect in April 2026
• Entry-level teachers earn around R14,142 per month, but salaries climb sharply with qualifications and experience
• School principals at the highest post level can take home over R110,000 a month before deductions

SOUTH AFRICA South African teachers stand to earn significantly more as they climb the ranks, with the latest salary scales showing a wide gap between entry-level educators and those in senior management positions.

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube gazetted the updated salary scales in April 2026. The structure takes into account qualifications, experience, position and salary notch.

How much do SA teachers earn?

A newly qualified teacher at entry level earns R169,707 a year, which translates to about R14,142 per month before deductions. That figure rises considerably for those with higher qualifications.

Educators in the REQV 14 to 17 category can earn between R366,051 and R794,151 annually, or roughly R30,970 to R66,179 a month. Senior Teachers with an REQV 13 qualification earn between R431,640 and R600,504 per year, while Master Teachers in the REQV 14 to 17 band can take home between R505,302 and R794,151 annually.

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Principals sit at the top of the pay scale

Teachers who move into school management earn the highest salaries in the public education system. Departmental heads can earn up to R1,094,826 a year, and deputy principals can reach R1,183,578 annually.

At the very top are P5 principals, whose salaries range from R892,764 to R1,326,822 per year. The ceiling of that range works out to approximately R110,569 per month before deductions.

It is worth noting that not every principal earns the maximum. The actual salary depends on the specific post level and salary notch applicable to each individual.

The figures make clear that advancing qualifications and moving into senior or management roles offers South African teachers a meaningful path to higher earnings.

Teacher outrage at possibilty of salary cuts

Previously, Briefly News reported that a South African teacher reacted with outrage after a headline calling for teacher salaries to be halved went viral on 16 August 2026. The teacher listed the heavy workload teachers carry, from managing large classes to excessive admin, questioning when promised relief would come. Fellow educators and parents flooded the comments to back the teacher, with many arguing salaries should be raised, not cut.

Source: Briefly News