How much money teachers earn in South Africa

if your Impressed to be a teacher hope you will need to know South African Teachers’ Salaries,This Guide well explain Both Private and Public schools teachers salaries.

The Department of Basic Education publishes an annual salary adjustment report for teachers in South Africa.

This report details teacher salary notches, which range significantly based on qualification, experience, and seniority.

The lowest salary scale for educators is R154,671 per year, while the highest salary is R1.209 million.

Taking inclusive packages into consideration, this maximum can reach as high as R1.6 million

The latest data shows that South Africa’s public education system employs around 410,000 teachers in 25,000 schools.

These teachers’ salaries come from taxpayers’ money flowing to the Department of Basic Education.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana allocated an additional R25.7 billion to the education sector in his February 2024 budget speech.

The additional money was necessary for the carry-through costs of wage increases over the medium term.

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.

Irene Pampallis’s research paper titled, What do teachers earn?, said teacher salaries are the largest single line item in the South African budget.

She said teacher salaries accounted for one-third of all public sector wages and 10% of total government expenditure.

“It is important to understand how much teachers earn, how their pay packages and benefits are structured, and how this differs by age and experience,” she said.

“These factors will influence how many younger teachers can be employed as older teachers retire.”

She said South Africa had a common perception that teacher salaries are low relative to comparable professions.

“This is often based on incorrect information about what constitutes a teacher’s ‘full package,’ including benefits,” she said.

A teacher’s basic salary is determined by their notch on the salary scales published in the Government Gazette.

The notch on which a teacher enters public service depends on their qualifications and years of experience.

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.

Teachers who meet minimum performance requirements move up to a higher salary notch each year they remain in government service.

This means that teachers’ salaries increase with experience. As such, older teachers will earn more than younger teachers with the same qualifications.

When a teacher gets a promotion, they will get more money as they will be moved to a higher salary notch.

This means that department heads, deputy principals, and principals earn much more than ordinary teachers with the same qualifications.

This is not where the teacher remuneration story ends. The total pay package includes many other benefits each month.

State-employed teachers receive an employer pension contribution, equal to 13% of their basic salary, and a thirteenth cheque.

All teachers who choose to join the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) receive a medical aid subsidy.

Teachers who own or rent a property may also apply for a housing allowance, which is around R1,500 per month.

Comprehensive Salary Overview for Various Teaching Positions

Here is an overview of the average annual salaries for various teaching positions in South Africa:

• Primary school teacher: R200,486
• High school teacher: R228,968
• Educator: R235,387
• Teacher: R206,476
• Mathematics teacher: R225,824
• Headteacher: R261,182
• Preschool teacher: R109,361
• Middle school teacher: R204,934
• Elementary school teacher: R194,368
• Secondary school teacher: R202,833
• Lecturer/Speaker: R205,800
• Principal/Headmaster: R307,433
• Operations manager: R275,808
• High school principal: R373,578
• Special education teacher (preschool to elementary): R148,512
• Preschool principal: R138,616
• Early Childhood Educator (ECE): R109,209
• Teacher assistant: R58,729
• Special education teacher (secondary school): R238,704
• Art teacher: R173,331
• Kindergarten teacher: R74,518

Highest paying cities near South Africa for Teachers

• Cape Town, Western Cape

  R 21 246 per month

  50 salaries reported

• Johannesburg, Gauteng

  R 14 632 per month

  34 salaries reported

• Durban, KwaZulu-Natal

  R 14 428 per month

  8 salaries reported

• Pretoria, Gauteng

  R 13 452 per month

  33 salaries reported

• Midrand, Gauteng

  R 11 352 per month

  6 salaries reported

• Nelspruit, Mpumalanga

  R 11 302 per month

  5 salaries reported

• Roodepoort, Gauteng

  R 8 070 per month

  6 salaries reported

• Krugersdorp, Gauteng

  R 6 751 per month

  7 salaries reported

Note: The Salary data are taken from external websites, including Indeed, Salary Expert, PayScale and Glassdoor.

What are the Factors Affecting Teacher Salaries?

As you explore the teachers’ salaries in South Africa, you must understand that several factors influence how much teachers earn. Here, we will discuss the primary elements that impact teacher salaries:

• Qualifications and Educational Background: Teachers with advanced degrees or specialised qualifications often earn higher salaries. This is because additional education and training bring extra expertise and skills to their teaching, which can lead to increased pay.
• Years of Experience: Teachers with more experience generally earn higher salaries. This is because their extensive experience improves their teaching skills, making them more effective and valuable in the classroom.
• Position and Role: The role a teacher holds also affects their salary. For example, principals and department heads earn more than classroom teachers due to their additional responsibilities and leadership roles.