Government Level 15 Salary — South Africa 2026
Director-General / Head of Department · R 130 000/month – R 165 000/month gross basic salary · 3 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 15 gross monthly salary ranges from R 130 000/month (entry notch) to R 165 000/month (top notch) in 2026/2027.
- ✓At the midpoint of R 147 500/month, estimated take-home pay is approximately R 96 964/month after PAYE (R 50 359/month) and UIF (R 177/month).
- ✓Employees advance one notch per year of satisfactory performance — the annual increment at Level 15 is approximately R 17 500.
- ✓Level 15 is a Senior Management Service (SMS) level. Pay is structured as a Total Cost to Employer (TCE) package with annual performance bonuses of up to 14%.
Senior Management Service (SMS)
DGs are appointed under Section 12 of the Public Service Act. Their TCE packages are individually determined by the President or Premier. The figures shown are indicative ranges.
R 130 000/month
Entry notch
R 165 000/month
Top notch
R 1 560 000/year
Annual salary (entry)
R 1 980 000/year
Annual salary (top)
Level 15 PERSAL notch table — 2026/2027
The table below shows the representative notch progression for Level 15. 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 130 000 | R 1 560 000/year |
| Notch 2 | R 147 500 | R 1 770 000/year |
| Notch 3Maximum | R 165 000 | R 1 980 000/year |
Estimated take-home pay — Level 15
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 130 000 | −R 43 184 | −R 177 | R 86 639 |
| Midpoint | R 147 500 | −R 50 359 | −R 177 | R 96 964 |
| Top notch | R 165 000 | −R 57 878 | −R 177 | R 106 945 |
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Who works at Level 15?
Level 15 Directors-General are the accounting officers of government departments, responsible to the Minister or MEC. They are appointed on fixed 5-year performance contracts.
Typical job titles at Level 15:
Departments that commonly employ Level 15:
Frequently asked questions
What does a Director-General / Head of Department earn per month in South Africa?
A Director-General / Head of Department at Level 15 in the South African public service earns between R 130 000/month and R 165 000/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 15 employee get?
At the midpoint of R 147 500/month gross, a Level 15 employee would receive approximately R 96 964/month net (take-home) after PAYE of R 50 359/month and UIF of R 177/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 15?
Level 15 has 3 notches ranging from R 130 000/month to R 165 000/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 15?
Promotion to Level 16 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 15?
Level 15 is a Senior Management Service (SMS) level. The 4% PSCBC Resolution 1 of 2025 applies specifically to salary levels 1–12. SMS members at levels 13–16 have their own remuneration determination process. Check the DPSA's SMS remuneration framework for the applicable increase for Level 15.
← Lower level
Level 14
Deputy Director-General (DDG)
R 96 000/month – R 125 000/month
Higher level →
Level 16
Director-General (Secretary to Cabinet / DPME)
R 165 000/month – R 200 000/month
All DPSA salary levels