Post Level 1

REQV 14 Teacher (B.Ed. Graduate) Salary — South Africa 2026

R 29 000/monthR 43 000/month gross monthly · Entry-level role

✓ Fact-checkedUpdated May 2026Sources: DBE Educator Salary Notches (April 2025)·ELRC Resolution 1 of 2024

Key takeaways

  • REQV 14 Teacher (B.Ed. Graduate) gross monthly salary ranges from R 29 000/month to R 43 000/month in 2026.
  • Estimated take-home pay at the midpoint (R 34 000/month) is approximately R 28 004/month after PAYE and UIF.
  • This is an entry-level role — minimum REQV 14 qualification and SACE registration required.
  • All public school teachers are GEPF pension fund members and qualify for a government medical aid subsidy.

R 29 000/month

Entry salary

R 43 000/month

Top salary

R 348 000/year

Annual (entry)

R 516 000/year

Annual (top)

Estimated take-home pay — REQV 14 Teacher (B.Ed. Graduate) 2026

Estimates use 2026/2027 SARS tax brackets with the primary rebate only (age under 65). GEPF pension (7.5%), medical aid, and other deductions are not included — actual take-home will be lower. Use the PAYE calculator for a personalised breakdown.

Salary pointGross/monthPAYEUIF (1%)Est. take-home
Entry salaryR 29 000R 4 416R 177R 24 407
MidpointR 34 000R 5 819R 177R 28 004
Top salaryR 43 000R 8 609R 177R 34 214

Get your exact take-home pay

Include GEPF pension, medical aid, and other deductions for a precise net pay figure.

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About the REQV 14 Teacher (B.Ed. Graduate) role

REQV 14 is the standard qualification level for newly qualified South African teachers holding a four-year Bachelor of Education degree. It has been the minimum standard entry qualification for public school teachers since 2019.

After the 5.5% ELRC collective agreement increase effective 1 April 2025, the starting notch for an REQV 14 teacher is approximately R371,000/year (~R30,900/month gross). The REQV 14 notch band spans approximately 80 notches on the Post Level 1 scale. A teacher at the top of the REQV 14 band with 20+ years of service earns approximately R500,000–R520,000/year (~R42,000–R43,000/month). Moving to REQV 15 (Honours) shifts the teacher to a higher starting notch with a small immediate salary bump.

Entry requirements

  • Four-year Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree — the standard since 2019
  • SACE registration with appropriate phase and subject endorsement
  • South African citizen or permanent resident
  • Clear criminal record

Duties & responsibilities

  • Plan, deliver and assess lessons in approved CAPS subjects
  • Complete annual IQMS performance review for notch progression
  • Participate in Subject/Phase team planning and moderation
  • Maintain learner portfolios and SBA records

Path to this role

Completion of a four-year B.Ed. degree from a DHET-accredited institution, plus SACE registration

Frequently asked questions

What is the REQV 14 starting salary in South Africa in 2026?

After the 5.5% ELRC increase effective 1 April 2025, a newly appointed REQV 14 teacher (B.Ed. graduate with no prior approved service) starts at approximately R371,000/year — about R30,900/month gross before PAYE, UIF and GEPF deductions. This is the entry notch for the REQV 14 band on the Post Level 1 OSD scale.

How much more does an REQV 15 teacher earn than REQV 14?

An REQV 15 teacher (typically a B.Ed. + Honours degree, or a B.Ed. with an additional postgraduate qualification) starts at a higher notch than REQV 14, usually R2,000–R5,000/month more at entry. The gap widens slightly over time as both sets of teachers accumulate notches at roughly the same 2% annual rate.

Does upgrading from REQV 13 to REQV 14 increase salary?

Yes. If a teacher completes a further qualification that raises their REQV from 13 to 14, they are re-graded on the OSD notch scale. The re-grading is done by the district HR office and typically results in the teacher being placed at the appropriate notch for their new REQV level — a meaningful increase of R5,000–R10,000/month depending on years of service.

What is the take-home pay for a REQV 14 Teacher (B.Ed. Graduate) in South Africa?

At the midpoint salary of R 34 000/month gross, estimated take-home pay is approximately R 28 004/month per month after PAYE of R 5 819/month and UIF of R 177/month. This estimate uses 2026/2027 SARS brackets with the primary rebate only. GEPF pension contributions (7.5%) and medical aid are not included — actual take-home will be lower.

Do public school teachers contribute to a pension fund?

Yes — all public school teachers employed by a provincial Department of Basic Education are members of the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF). The employee contribution is 7.5% of pensionable salary and the employer contributes 13%. The GEPF provides a defined benefit pension on retirement, which is significantly more valuable than a typical private sector retirement annuity.

Source: DBE Educator Salary Notches effective 1 April 2025 (Government Gazette 52227, GoN 5957, March 2025); SAOU Salary Scales. ELRC Resolution 1 of 2024 (5.5% increase). Figures are approximate gross monthly. PAYE estimate uses 2026/2027 SARS brackets with primary rebate only. View full teacher salary overview →