Government Level 1 Salary — South Africa 2026
General Worker · R 7 800/month – R 8 600/month gross basic salary · 5 PERSAL notches · 4% PSCBC increase from 1 April 2026.
✓ Fact-checkedUpdated 1 April 2026Sources: DPSA PERSAL notch table·PSCBC Resolution 1 of 2025
Key takeaways
- ✓Level 1 gross monthly salary ranges from R 7 800/month (entry notch) to R 8 600/month (top notch) in 2026/2027.
- ✓At the midpoint of R 8 200/month, estimated take-home pay is approximately R 8 118/month after PAYE (R 0/month) and UIF (R 82/month).
- ✓Employees advance one notch per year of satisfactory performance — the annual increment at Level 1 is approximately R 200.
- ✓The 4% PSCBC increase effective 1 April 2026 applies to Level 1. This is reflected in the notch values below.
R 7 800/month
Entry notch
R 8 600/month
Top notch
R 93 600/year
Annual salary (entry)
R 103 200/year
Annual salary (top)
Level 1 PERSAL notch table — 2026/2027
The table below shows the representative notch progression for Level 1. Actual PERSAL notch values may differ slightly by post type and OSD category — the figures here are based on the 2026/2027 DPSA salary circular (4% PSCBC increase from 1 April 2026).
| Notch | Monthly (gross) | Annual (gross) |
|---|---|---|
| Notch 1Entry | R 7 800 | R 93 600/year |
| Notch 2 | R 8 000 | R 96 000/year |
| Notch 3 | R 8 200 | R 98 400/year |
| Notch 4 | R 8 400 | R 100 800/year |
| Notch 5Maximum | R 8 600 | R 103 200/year |
Estimated take-home pay — Level 1
Estimates use 2026/2027 SARS tax brackets with the primary rebate only (age under 65). Medical aid credits, pension contributions, and other deductions are not included — use the full PAYE calculator for a personalised breakdown.
| Notch | Gross/month | PAYE | UIF (1%) | Est. take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry notch | R 7 800 | −R 0 | −R 78 | R 7 722 |
| Midpoint | R 8 200 | −R 0 | −R 82 | R 8 118 |
| Top notch | R 8 600 | −R 63 | −R 86 | R 8 451 |
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Who works at Level 1?
Level 1 is the entry-level in the public service. Employees perform unskilled manual tasks such as cleaning, gardening, and general labouring. Most posts are in service delivery departments like Health and Public Works.
Typical job titles at Level 1:
Departments that commonly employ Level 1:
Frequently asked questions
What does a General Worker earn per month in South Africa?
A General Worker at Level 1 in the South African public service earns between R 7 800/month and R 8 600/month in gross basic salary for the 2026/2027 financial year, following the 4% PSCBC increase effective 1 April 2026. The exact amount depends on the employee's PERSAL notch — new appointees typically start at or near the minimum notch.
How much take-home pay does a Level 1 employee get?
At the midpoint of R 8 200/month gross, a Level 1 employee would receive approximately R 8 118/month net (take-home) after PAYE of R 0/month and UIF of R 82/month. This estimate uses 2026/2027 SARS tax brackets with the primary rebate only — it excludes medical aid credits, pension deductions, and housing allowances, which would further affect the net amount.
How do PERSAL notches work for Level 1?
Level 1 has 5 notches ranging from R 7 800/month to R 8 600/month. Employees are placed on a specific notch when appointed. If their performance is rated satisfactory or above, they advance one notch per year until they reach the maximum notch for their level. Notch advancement is automatic for satisfactory performers — it is not subject to budget availability.
How do you get promoted from Level 1?
Promotion to Level 2 is not automatic. An employee must apply for an advertised vacancy at the higher level. Post advertisements appear on the DPSA's online public service vacancy circular, departmental websites, and Careers24 / other job boards. Strong performance ratings and relevant qualifications improve competitiveness.
Does the 4% government salary increase apply to Level 1?
Yes. The 4% increase agreed under PSCBC Resolution 1 of 2025, effective 1 April 2026, applies to Level 1. This increase is reflected in the notch values shown on this page. All non-SMS levels (1–12) are covered by this resolution.
All DPSA salary levels