Public Servant
Salary 2026.
Full DPSA salary levels for South African government employees — from Level 1 general workers to Level 16 Directors-General. Figures reflect the 4% PSCBC increase effective 1 April 2026 (PSCBC Resolution 1 of 2025).
Key takeaways
- ✓Public servant salaries are set by salary level (1–16) and notch within that level — not by individual negotiation.
- ✓Annual increases are set through the PSCBC collective agreement, typically CPI-linked.
- ✓Level 1–2 general workers earn R8,200–R9,800/month; Level 13–16 directors-general earn R100,000–R200,000+/month.
- ✓Public servants also receive employer contributions to the GEPF pension, medical aid, and group life insurance.
2026 salary increase: 4% from 1 April 2026
PSCBC Resolution 1 of 2025 established a 4% increase for public servants at levels 1–12, effective 1 April 2026. The 4% applies because Treasury's projected CPI of 3.4% fell below the agreement's floor. SMS members (levels 13–16) and employees under the SAPS Act, Educators Act, and Defence Act are excluded from this specific resolution.DPSA announcement →
Salary levels and monthly ranges — 2026
| Level | Title | Min/month | Max/month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1–2 | General Worker / Cleaner | R 8 200 | R 9 800 |
| Level 3–4 | Driver / Technical Support | R 9 800 | R 12 000 |
| Level 5–6 | Administrative Clerk / Officer | R 11 000 | R 15 000 |
| Level 7–8 | Senior Administrative Officer | R 16 000 | R 22 000 |
| Level 9–10 | Assistant Director | R 26 000 | R 34 000 |
| Level 11–12 | Deputy Director / Director | R 42 000 | R 68 000 |
| Level 13 | Chief Director | R 75 000 | R 92 000 |
| Level 14 | Deputy Director-General (DDG) | R 95 000 | R 120 000 |
| Level 15–16 | Director-General (DG) / HOD | R 120 000 | R 175 000 |
What does each level do?
Level 1–2 — General Worker / Cleaner
R 8 200 – R 9 800/month
Examples: General assistant, cleaner, gardener
Full notch table & take-home pay →Level 3–4 — Driver / Technical Support
R 9 800 – R 12 000/month
Examples: Driver, artisan assistant, registry clerk
Full notch table & take-home pay →Level 5–6 — Administrative Clerk / Officer
R 11 000 – R 15 000/month
Examples: Admin clerk, data capturer, HR clerk
Full notch table & take-home pay →Level 7–8 — Senior Administrative Officer
R 16 000 – R 22 000/month
Examples: Senior admin officer, accountant, HR practitioner
Full notch table & take-home pay →Level 9–10 — Assistant Director
R 26 000 – R 34 000/month
Examples: Assistant Director, Deputy Director (acting)
Full notch table & take-home pay →Level 11–12 — Deputy Director / Director
R 42 000 – R 68 000/month
Examples: Deputy Director, Director
Full notch table & take-home pay →Level 13 — Chief Director
R 75 000 – R 92 000/month
Examples: Chief Director, Component Head
Full notch table & take-home pay →Level 14 — Deputy Director-General (DDG)
R 95 000 – R 120 000/month
Examples: Deputy Director-General, Corporate Services Head
Full notch table & take-home pay →Level 15–16 — Director-General (DG) / HOD
R 120 000 – R 175 000/month
Examples: Director-General, Head of Department (provincial)
Full notch table & take-home pay →Data: DPSA PERSAL notch table · PSCBC Resolution 1 of 2024 · See methodology
Government employee benefits
Public servants receive benefits in addition to their basic salary that can substantially increase total compensation. Key benefits include:
GEPF Pension
Government Employees Pension Fund. Both employee and employer contribute. Defined benefit — guaranteed income on retirement.
GEMS Medical Aid
Government Employees Medical Scheme. Employer subsidy covers a portion of premiums depending on salary level.
Housing Allowance
R1,320/month for members not in government housing. Home owner subsidy up to R2,333/month also available.
Leave & Job Security
21–30 days annual leave, 5 days family responsibility leave, full paid sick leave, and strong employment protection under the PSCBC.
Calculate your government take-home pay
Enter your gross monthly salary to see net pay after PAYE and UIF.
Frequently asked questions
What is the salary increase for public servants in 2026?
Public servants received a 4% salary increase effective 1 April 2026, in accordance with PSCBC Resolution 1 of 2025. The resolution established a multi-year wage framework — because National Treasury's projected CPI for 2026/27 was 3.4% (below 4%), the agreement's floor mechanism set the increase at 4%. This applies to employees on salary levels 1 to 12 and those on Occupation Specific Dispensations (OSDs). Senior Management Service members (levels 13–16) and employees under separate acts (SAPS, educators, defence, correctional services) are not covered by this specific increase.
What is a PERSAL salary notch?
PERSAL (Personnel Salary System) is the government's payroll system. Each salary level has a series of notches — annual increments within that level. For example, Level 7 might have notches ranging from R16,000 to R22,000/month. Employees advance one notch per year of satisfactory performance, up to the maximum notch for their level.
What are SMS members in the public service?
SMS stands for Senior Management Service — government employees at salary levels 13 to 16 (Chief Directors, Deputy Directors-General, Directors-General, and Heads of Department). SMS members are on separate remuneration packages that include a Total Cost to Employer (TCE) structure and annual performance bonuses.
Do public servants get a 13th cheque?
Public servants at levels 1–12 receive an annual performance bonus (not an automatic 13th cheque) in December, subject to a satisfactory performance rating and departmental budget availability. SMS members (levels 13+) receive performance bonuses of up to 14% of total package, also performance-linked.
What benefits do government employees receive in addition to salary?
Government employees receive: membership of the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF), Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) employer subsidy, housing allowance (R1,320/month), home owner subsidy (up to R 2,333/month), and motor vehicle allowance for qualifying posts. These benefits can add significant value above the basic salary.
Source: DPSA Salary Circular 1 of 2026; PSCBC Resolution 1 of 2025 (4% increase effective 1 April 2026); Public Service Act (103 of 1994). Source: DPSA — Minister Buthelezi Announces 4% Wage Increase. Figures are gross monthly basic salary. Benefits and allowances are additional. Updated annually after the DPSA salary circular.
Explore individual salary levels
Each level page includes a full PERSAL notch table, estimated take-home pay, and job examples.
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