How much do teachers in SA actually earn
Ever wondered how much teachers in SA earn? We’ve got some details.
The Department of Basic Education has announced a 5.5% salary increase for teachers in South Africa, which reportedly came into effect on 1 April, 2025.
This increase is part of a multi-year wage agreement that also includes CPI-linked adjustments for 2026 and 2027, capped at 6% and bottoming out at 4%.
Salary Structure
Teacher salaries in South Africa are structured around specific bands and notches that vary according to experience level and position.
The salaries are split across 432 notches, determined by the DBE, and vary according to Relative Education Qualification Value (REQV) levels. The lowest notch (001) reflects the lowest salary a teacher can earn, which is R163,179 in 2025, or R13,600 per month.
The highest salary in the sector is R1,275,789 in 2025, or R106,300 per month.
Average Salaries
Average monthly salaries for teachers in South Africa vary across different types of teaching positions:
- Grade R Teacher: R7,411
- Preschool Teacher: R6,698
- Private School Teacher: R26,463
- High School Teacher: R33,000
- Primary School Teacher: R25,200
- Mathematics Teacher: R24,000
In addition to their salaries, teachers also receive benefits such as pension contributions, medical aid subsidies, housing allowances, and bonuses, which can increase their total packages.
South Africa is currently facing a shortage of skilled teachers, particularly in mathematics. According to the Department of Basic Education, 464 public schools do not offer mathematics to their learners due to a lack of qualified teachers or limited enrollment. Experts attribute this shortage to poor human resource planning by the department and a lack of retraining for current teachers.
Addressing the Shortage
According to BusinessTech, Mugwena Maluleke, general secretary of the South African Democratic Teachers Union, believes that addressing the shortage requires a concerted effort from the department and all stakeholders to find solutions. This includes having a conversation with higher education institutions about the department's needs and providing retraining for current teachers to gain necessary skills.
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