Government Level 16 Salary — South Africa 2026
Director-General (Secretary to Cabinet / DPME) · R 165 000/month – R 200 000/month gross basic salary · 2 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 16 gross monthly salary ranges from R 165 000/month (entry notch) to R 200 000/month (top notch) in 2026/2027.
- ✓At the midpoint of R 182 500/month, estimated take-home pay is approximately R 116 570/month after PAYE (R 65 753/month) and UIF (R 177/month).
- ✓Employees advance one notch per year of satisfactory performance — the annual increment at Level 16 is approximately R 35 000.
- ✓Level 16 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)
Level 16 packages are individually determined by the President. Annual performance reviews apply.
R 165 000/month
Entry notch
R 200 000/month
Top notch
R 1 980 000/year
Annual salary (entry)
R 2 400 000/year
Annual salary (top)
Level 16 PERSAL notch table — 2026/2027
The table below shows the representative notch progression for Level 16. 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 165 000 | R 1 980 000/year |
| Notch 2Maximum | R 200 000 | R 2 400 000/year |
Estimated take-home pay — Level 16
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 165 000 | −R 57 878 | −R 177 | R 106 945 |
| Midpoint | R 182 500 | −R 65 753 | −R 177 | R 116 570 |
| Top notch | R 200 000 | −R 73 628 | −R 177 | R 126 195 |
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Who works at Level 16?
Level 16 is reserved for the most senior government officials — primarily the Secretary to Cabinet and equivalent positions in the Presidency cluster. These are political-executive level appointments.
Typical job titles at Level 16:
Departments that commonly employ Level 16:
Frequently asked questions
What does a Director-General (Secretary to Cabinet / DPME) earn per month in South Africa?
A Director-General (Secretary to Cabinet / DPME) at Level 16 in the South African public service earns between R 165 000/month and R 200 000/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 16 employee get?
At the midpoint of R 182 500/month gross, a Level 16 employee would receive approximately R 116 570/month net (take-home) after PAYE of R 65 753/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 16?
Level 16 has 2 notches ranging from R 165 000/month to R 200 000/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 16?
Promotion to the next level 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 16?
Level 16 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 16.
All DPSA salary levels