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Teachers across South Africa are set to enjoy bigger paychecks in 2025 after the Department of Basic Education (DBE) confirmed a sector-wide salary increase. The adjustment, effective from 1 April 2025, follows a 5.5% wage hike agreement reached between the government and public sector unions earlier this year.
Because the deal was finalised after April, the increase will be applied retroactively, meaning educators will also receive a lump sum for the months they have already worked under the new pay scale.
Multi-Year Salary Agreement Secured
The 2025 raise is part of a three-year wage deal signed in February. The agreement ensures teachers will also receive annual salary adjustments in 2026 and 2027, with increases linked to inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
To protect both educators and the national budget, the DBE has set a minimum annual increase of 4% and a maximum of 6%. This ensures salaries keep pace with the rising cost of living without creating sudden budget pressures.
Understanding the Teacher Pay Structure
Teacher salaries in South Africa are calculated using two key factors:
- Relative Education Qualification Value (REQV) – based on the teacher’s qualifications.
- Salary Notches – incremental pay levels determined by years of experience and service.
The REQV levels are grouped as follows:
- REQV 10–12: Teachers with a matric certificate plus some teacher training.
- REQV 13: Teachers with a recognised diploma or degree.
- REQV 14–17: Teachers with advanced qualifications such as postgraduate degrees.
There are 432 notches in total, starting from entry-level salaries for new teachers up to senior pay levels for principals and school management.
2025 Salary Scale for Classroom Teachers
| Role / REQV Level | Notch Range | 2025 Annual Salary Range | Approx. Monthly Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level (REQV 10–12) | 1–106 | R163,179 – R268,008 | R13,600 – R22,300 |
| Mid-Level (REQV 10–12) | 108–268 | R270,498 – R577,407 | R22,500 – R48,100 |
| Senior Teacher (REQV 13) | 200–268 | R415,038 – R577,407 | R34,500 – R48,100 |
| Master Teacher (REQV 14–17) | 232–326 | R485,868 – R763,608 | R40,500 – R63,600 |
2025 Salary Scale for School Management
| Role | Notch Range | 2025 Annual Salary Range | Approx. Monthly Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Departmental Head | 210–392 | R435,240 – R1,052,718 | R36,200 – R87,700 |
| Deputy Principal | 244–408 | R514,563 – R1,138,056 | R42,900 – R94,800 |
| Principal (P5) | 350–432 | R858,426 – R1,275,789 | R71,500 – R106,300 |
The Pay Gap – From First-Year Teachers to Top Principals
A newly qualified teacher starting on the lowest notch now earns just over R13,600 per month, while a principal at the highest level of a large school can make more than R106,000 per month.
This wide range reflects differences in qualifications, experience, school size, and leadership responsibilities.
Beyond Basic Pay – Benefits for Educators
Apart from the salary itself, South African public school teachers receive a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Government pension fund contributions
- A housing allowance
- A medical aid subsidy
- Annual bonuses and potential performance incentives
These benefits significantly increase the overall value of a teacher’s employment package.
Challenges Ahead – Teacher Shortages Continue
Despite the 2025 salary increase, the DBE continues to face critical teacher shortages, particularly in mathematics and science subjects. Recent reports indicate that over 460 public schools do not offer mathematics at all, mainly due to a lack of qualified educators.
The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) has urged the DBE to improve workforce planning and collaborate more closely with universities to ensure graduates are trained in the subjects most in demand. They have also called for more retraining programs for existing teachers to upskill in high-demand areas.
Bottom line
The April 2025 pay rise is a welcome boost for South African teachers, rewarding their work and helping them keep up with rising living costs. However, salary increases alone may not be enough to solve the country’s persistent teacher shortage without long-term recruitment and training strategies.