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EducationUpdated 2026-04

High School Teacher Salary in South Africa (2026)

High school (Grade 8–12, FET phase) teachers in South Africa are employed by provincial education departments or private schools. They are paid on the same DBE REQV salary scale as primary school teachers, but subject scarcity (Maths, Physical Science, Technology) attracts additional allowances. Schools of Specialisation and top independent schools offer premium packages for FET teachers.

R 30 000/ month median· R 360 000 / year

36% above the SA employed workforce median of R 22 000/month

R19k
entryR22k
25thR30k
medianR48k
75thR65k
senior

Entry-level

R 21 500

0–3 years (Post Level 1 FET)

Mid-level

R 30 000

4–12 years (HOD or experienced teacher)

Senior

R 48 000

Deputy Principal / Principal

Salary by experience

Gross monthly, before tax

Each bar shows the typical range; the dark line is the median.

Entry-level0–3 years (Post Level 1 FET)
R 21 500median
R 18 500R 25 000
Mid-level4–12 years (HOD or experienced teacher)
R 30 000median
R 25 000R 38 000
SeniorDeputy Principal / Principal
R 48 000median
R 38 000R 65 000
Range MedianScale: R 18 500 – R 65 000
Sector: Maths and Science FET teachers in public schools receive a scarce skills allowance on top of base salary. Independent schools targeting NSC excellence (IEB schools) pay premium salaries and bonuses linked to matric results. International schools in Johannesburg and Cape Town pay the highest.
Location: Gauteng and Western Cape private and international schools offer the highest packages. Public sector differences between provinces are small — the national REQV scale dominates.

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See exactly what R 30 000/month looks like after PAYE, UIF, and medical aid.

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What affects High School Teacher salary?

✓Subject: Maths, Physical Science, and IT teachers earn scarce skills allowances
✓Post level: HOD (Post Level 2) and above earn significantly more
✓Public vs private vs international school
✓School performance bonuses at top independent schools

Career outlook 2026

The critical shortage of qualified Maths and Science teachers continues — DBE is actively recruiting and offering enhanced bursaries for these subjects. Demand for well-qualified FET teachers in top private schools remains consistently high.

How to qualify as a High School Teacher

Entry requirements, study paths, professional registration, and bursaries.

Minimum entry requirement

B.Ed. FET (Senior/FET Phase) — REQV 14; PGCE also accepted for graduates of other degrees

APS 24+APS 24–34 for B.Ed. Senior/FET Phase programmes, higher for Maths and Science specialisations
Check your APS score →

Qualification paths

Degree

B.Ed. Senior / FET Phase

⏱ 4 yearsAPS 24–34

Specialise in two school subjects, typically including Maths, Science, or Languages

Postgrad

PGCE (FET Phase)

⏱ 1 year

For BSc, BCom, or BA graduates who want to teach at FET level

SACE

South African Council for Educators

All public school and registered independent school teachers must be registered with SACE.

Time to qualify

4–5 years from matric

Study costs

R25,000–R60,000/year; PGCE approximately R20,000–R40,000 for one year

Bursaries available

DBE and DHET offer Funza Lushaka bursaries specifically for Maths, Science, and Technology teaching qualifications, with a service obligation.

Funza Lushaka Bursary ↗NSFAS ↗SACE ↗

Frequently asked questions

How much does a high school teacher earn per month in South Africa?

A newly qualified public school FET (high school) teacher earns approximately R18,500–R25,000/month. Experienced teachers or HODs earn R25,000–R38,000/month. Deputy principals and principals at large secondary schools can earn R38,000–R65,000/month.

Do high school teachers earn more than primary school teachers?

On the DBE REQV scale, salaries are the same for equivalent REQV levels and post levels. However, Maths and Science teachers (predominantly FET) receive scarce skills allowances that primary school teachers typically do not.

What is an HOD salary at a public high school?

A Head of Department (HOD) is Post Level 2 on the DBE scale. The HOD allowance adds approximately R2,000–R4,000/month to the Post Level 1 salary, depending on the school's staffing quota and province.

Data source: DBE REQV salary scales 2024/2025; IEB school advertised positions; CareerJunction 2025/2026 · Last updated: 2026-04

Salary figures are gross monthly estimates. Individual pay varies by employer, province, experience, and negotiation.

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