How the public service salary scales page works
Last updated 10 November 2026
Government jobs are paid on published scales: a salary level or grade, with a lowest and a highest notch. This page lists the ranges we could confirm from official documents, and works out about what is left each month after tax and UIF for the post you choose.
How it works
- Choose a post, for example a teacher, a professional nurse or a salary level.
- Add your age group and medical scheme details if you want the estimate to include the medical credit.
- Read the yearly range, the monthly amount before tax and the estimated pay after tax.
Worked example
With the starting choice:
- Professional nurse, grade 1 is paid from R 337 359 to R 397 392 a year.
- At the lowest notch that is R 28 113 a month before tax, and about R 23 746 after PAYE and UIF.
Where the figures come from
The general and health ranges are the salary ranges printed in DPSA vacancy circulars of June to August 2026. The scale tables in the official salary circular could not be retrieved, so the ranges are as advertised.
The educator ranges come from the Department of Basic Education’s gazette of 29 May 2026. The police figures come from the SAPS recruitment adverts for 2026/27. The 4% increase from 1 April 2026 comes from DPSA Circular 15 of 2026. We read them on 10 November 2026. The figures register shows the source and the date for each one.
Basic salary and packages
Lower levels are paid a basic salary with benefits on top. Higher levels and some professional posts are paid an all-inclusive package that already covers benefits. The estimate treats the amount shown as cash salary, so for a package it overstates what reaches your bank account if part of it goes to benefits.
Who is covered by the increase
Salary levels 1 to 12 and OSD posts received a 4% increase from 1 April 2026. Senior management (levels 13 to 16), educators, police, the defence force, correctional services and the NPA are set separately.
What this page leaves out
A basic salary is not the whole pay. Employees on levels 1 to 10 may also get a flexible portion in lieu of benefits, a housing allowance and a 13th cheque, but we could not confirm these from a rules document, so they are not added. A package covers salary and benefits together, so take-home pay depends on how it is structured.
Left out because the sources disagree or none was found: salary levels 1, 8 and 9, enrolled nurses, the pharmacist assistant, police ranks above warrant officer, the defence force, and the maximum for several posts.
Estimates only
The after-tax amount uses the current SARS tables, PAYE and UIF. Your payslip shows what you actually receive. This is an estimate from public documents, not advice. Read the full disclaimer.
Things to watch
- Ranges are as advertised in 2026. Check the post’s own advert for the exact salary.
- Notches inside a range depend on qualifications and experience.
Related: the take-home pay calculator, the salary breakdown calculator and the minimum wage calculator.