Pay scale · Philippines · 2026
Teacher salary Philippines 2026
From 1 January 2026, a public school Teacher I is paid ₱31,705 a month at step 1 (salary grade 11), a Master Teacher I ₱53,818 and a School Principal IV ₱81,796. The grades come from DepEd and DBM's Joint Circular No. 1, s. 2025; the rates are the third tranche of Executive Order No. 64. Pick a position and step to see your monthly pay, what you take home and where the next step leads.
By Dominic Roworth · Positions from DepEd-DBM Joint Circular No. 1, s. 2025, rates from EO No. 64 and DBM NBC 601, checked 2 November 2026
Teacher I, SG 11 step 1, a month
₱31,705
Third tranche, from 1 January 2026
Public school teacher pay 2026: the key figures
| Figure | 2026 | Source |
|---|---|---|
| In effect from | 1 January 2026 (third tranche) | NBC 601, item 5.0 |
| Teacher I (entry) | SG 11: ₱31,705 a month at step 1 | JC item 6.1.1, p. 6; NBC 601, Annex A |
| Teacher II to VII | SG 12 to 17: ₱33,947 to ₱49,562 at step 1 | JC item 6.1.1, p. 6 |
| Master Teacher I to V | SG 18 to 22: ₱53,818 to ₱81,796 at step 1 | JC item 6.1.1, p. 6 |
| School Principal I to IV | SG 19 to 22: ₱59,153 to ₱81,796 at step 1 | JC item 6.1.2, p. 7 |
| Highest rate on the ladder | ₱90,295 a month (SG 22 step 8) | NBC 601, Annex A |
| Teacher I take-home at step 1 | About ₱26,805.08 a month | Our calculation (GSIS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, BIR rates) |
| Pay after reclassification | Step 1 of the new position | JC item 7.6.1.1, p. 12 |
| Next increase | 1 January 2027, fourth tranche (Teacher I step 1: ₱33,387) | EO 64, Section 3 |
Teacher salary grade table 2026: every position and step
Monthly basic salary from 1 January 2026 for each DepEd teaching and school head position, from the salary schedule in Annex A of DBM National Budget Circular No. 601. A Master Teacher and a School Principal at the same salary grade are paid the same rate.
Monthly salary, 2026 (pesos)
| Position | SG | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classroom teaching line | |||||||||
| Teacher I | 11 | ₱31,705 | ₱31,820 | ₱32,109 | ₱32,401 | ₱32,697 | ₱32,998 | ₱33,302 | ₱33,611 |
| Teacher II | 12 | ₱33,947 | ₱34,069 | ₱34,357 | ₱34,648 | ₱34,943 | ₱35,242 | ₱35,544 | ₱35,850 |
| Teacher III | 13 | ₱36,125 | ₱36,283 | ₱36,599 | ₱36,919 | ₱37,244 | ₱37,572 | ₱37,904 | ₱38,241 |
| Teacher IV | 14 | ₱38,764 | ₱39,141 | ₱39,523 | ₱39,910 | ₱40,300 | ₱40,696 | ₱41,097 | ₱41,503 |
| Teacher V | 15 | ₱42,178 | ₱42,594 | ₱43,015 | ₱43,442 | ₱43,874 | ₱44,310 | ₱44,753 | ₱45,202 |
| Teacher VI | 16 | ₱45,694 | ₱46,152 | ₱46,615 | ₱47,084 | ₱47,559 | ₱48,040 | ₱48,528 | ₱49,020 |
| Teacher VII | 17 | ₱49,562 | ₱50,066 | ₱50,576 | ₱51,092 | ₱51,614 | ₱52,144 | ₱52,678 | ₱53,221 |
| Master Teacher I | 18 | ₱53,818 | ₱54,371 | ₱54,933 | ₱55,499 | ₱56,075 | ₱56,657 | ₱57,246 | ₱57,842 |
| Master Teacher II | 19 | ₱59,153 | ₱59,966 | ₱60,793 | ₱61,632 | ₱62,486 | ₱63,353 | ₱64,236 | ₱65,132 |
| Master Teacher III | 20 | ₱66,052 | ₱66,970 | ₱67,904 | ₱68,853 | ₱69,818 | ₱70,772 | ₱71,727 | ₱72,671 |
| Master Teacher IV | 21 | ₱73,303 | ₱74,337 | ₱75,388 | ₱76,456 | ₱77,542 | ₱78,645 | ₱79,692 | ₱80,831 |
| Master Teacher V | 22 | ₱81,796 | ₱82,963 | ₱84,151 | ₱85,356 | ₱86,582 | ₱87,746 | ₱89,011 | ₱90,295 |
| School administration line | |||||||||
| School Principal I | 19 | ₱59,153 | ₱59,966 | ₱60,793 | ₱61,632 | ₱62,486 | ₱63,353 | ₱64,236 | ₱65,132 |
| School Principal II | 20 | ₱66,052 | ₱66,970 | ₱67,904 | ₱68,853 | ₱69,818 | ₱70,772 | ₱71,727 | ₱72,671 |
| School Principal III | 21 | ₱73,303 | ₱74,337 | ₱75,388 | ₱76,456 | ₱77,542 | ₱78,645 | ₱79,692 | ₱80,831 |
| School Principal IV | 22 | ₱81,796 | ₱82,963 | ₱84,151 | ₱85,356 | ₱86,582 | ₱87,746 | ₱89,011 | ₱90,295 |
Source: salary grades from DepEd-DBM Joint Circular No. 1, s. 2025, items 6.1.1 and 6.1.2 (pp. 6 to 7); rates from DBM National Budget Circular No. 601 (22 January 2026), Annex A.
Teacher pay in 2025, 2026 and 2027, and take-home
Step 1 of each position across three tranches, with what a teacher at step 1 takes home in 2026 after the GSIS personal share (9%), PhilHealth (2.5%), Pag-IBIG (at most ₱200) and withholding tax. At step 1 the 2026 rise runs from 4.6% (Master Teacher V) to 5.6% (Teacher I).
| Position | SG | 2025 step 1 | 2026 step 1 | Rise | 2027 step 1 | 2026 take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher I | 11 | ₱30,024 | ₱31,705 | +5.6% | ₱33,387 | ₱26,805.08 |
| Teacher II | 12 | ₱32,245 | ₱33,947 | +5.3% | ₱35,650 | ₱28,491.63 |
| Teacher III | 13 | ₱34,421 | ₱36,125 | +5.0% | ₱37,828 | ₱30,130.03 |
| Teacher IV | 14 | ₱37,024 | ₱38,764 | +4.7% | ₱40,505 | ₱32,076.58 |
| Teacher V | 15 | ₱40,208 | ₱42,178 | +4.9% | ₱44,148 | ₱34,493.69 |
| Teacher VI | 16 | ₱43,560 | ₱45,694 | +4.9% | ₱47,829 | ₱36,983.02 |
| Teacher VII | 17 | ₱47,247 | ₱49,562 | +4.9% | ₱51,877 | ₱39,721.56 |
| Master Teacher I | 18 | ₱51,304 | ₱53,818 | +4.9% | ₱56,332 | ₱42,734.81 |
| Master Teacher II | 19 | ₱56,390 | ₱59,153 | +4.9% | ₱61,916 | ₱46,511.99 |
| Master Teacher III | 20 | ₱62,967 | ₱66,052 | +4.9% | ₱69,138 | ₱51,396.48 |
| Master Teacher IV | 21 | ₱70,013 | ₱73,303 | +4.7% | ₱76,594 | ₱56,530.19 |
| Master Teacher V | 22 | ₱78,162 | ₱81,796 | +4.6% | ₱85,431 | ₱62,267.09 |
| School Principal I | 19 | ₱56,390 | ₱59,153 | +4.9% | ₱61,916 | ₱46,511.99 |
| School Principal II | 20 | ₱62,967 | ₱66,052 | +4.9% | ₱69,138 | ₱51,396.48 |
| School Principal III | 21 | ₱70,013 | ₱73,303 | +4.7% | ₱76,594 | ₱56,530.19 |
| School Principal IV | 22 | ₱78,162 | ₱81,796 | +4.6% | ₱85,431 | ₱62,267.09 |
A month, step 1. 2025: DBM NBC 597, Annex A; 2026: NBC 601, Annex A; 2027: EO 64, Section 3. Take-home is our estimate; loan repayments, union dues, PERA, allowances, the year-end and mid-year bonuses and the cash gift are left out (bonuses and other benefits are tax-free up to ₱90,000 a year).
The two career lines: classroom teaching and school administration
DepEd-DBM Joint Circular No. 1, s. 2025, issued on 19 February 2025 under Executive Order No. 174, s. 2022 (the Expanded Career Progression System), puts every public school teacher on one of two ladders. The Classroom Teaching line runs from Teacher I to Master Teacher V (salary grades 11 to 22). The School Administration line runs from School Principal I to IV (salary grades 19 to 22). Teacher IV to VII and Master Teacher V are new positions authorised by EO No. 174, so the classroom line now has 12 rungs instead of the old Teacher I to III and Master Teacher I to IV.
On reaching Master Teacher I, a teacher chooses to continue in the Classroom Teaching line (Master Teacher II upwards) or to take the School Administration line (School Principal). Switching lines later is allowed for someone who meets the requirements of the other line. (JC items 6.2 and 6.3, p. 7)
| SG | Classroom teaching | School administration | 2026 step 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | Master Teacher I | Choice of line made here | ₱53,818 |
| 19 | Master Teacher II | School Principal I | ₱59,153 |
| 20 | Master Teacher III | School Principal II | ₱66,052 |
| 21 | Master Teacher IV | School Principal III | ₱73,303 |
| 22 | Master Teacher V | School Principal IV | ₱81,796 |
Source: JC item 7.1, Table of Positions (p. 8). Teacher I to VII (SG 11 to 17) sit below, on the classroom teaching line only.
How teachers move up, and what it pays
- Teaching positions are classified by the qualifications and competencies of the teacher, not by the work assigned. Duties and responsibilities count only on entry to Master Teacher or School Principal. (JC item 7.0, p. 7)
- Teachers move up by promotion to a vacant position or by reclassification of their own position, based on CSC-approved qualification standards and the professional standards for teachers (PPST) or school heads (PPSSH), measured through the performance appraisal system and competency assessments. (JC items 7.3, 7.3.1 and 7.3.2, p. 8)
- Each position needs the CSC-approved qualification standards (education, training, experience, eligibility), a performance rating of at least Very Satisfactory in the last rating period and, for School Principal, a pass in the school heads assessment. Moving up to Master Teacher I also depends on staffing ratios. (JC items 7.3.1 (p. 8) and 7.4 (p. 9))
- A teacher reclassified to a higher position is paid step 1 of the new position. Step increments for length of service count from the date of appointment to the new position: earlier step increments are not carried over. (JC item 7.6.1.1, p. 12)
- Approved reclassifications are paid from the Lump-sum for the Reclassification of Positions in each year's General Appropriations Act, with priority to applicants not accommodated in earlier years. (JC item 10.1, p. 19)
- DepEd regional offices send the DBM regional office a Plantilla Allocation List of qualified candidates, within the region's budget for the year, by 30 November. Appointments and salary adjustments are issued by 30 March of the following year. (JC items 7.5.3.1 and 7.5.3.4, pp. 11 to 12)
- One School Principal item per school. One Master Teacher item for every five teachers in kindergarten and elementary (every five per subject in junior high school, every five per track in senior high school, every three per subject in regional science high schools, every three in multigrade schools and hardship posts, and every five SNEd or ALS teachers in a schools division). (JC item 9.1, pp. 17 to 18)
- Existing vacant positions are converted to Teacher I. When a Teacher, Master Teacher or School Principal item falls vacant later, it is first posted for promotion and, except Teacher I and School Principal I, is abolished after one year and replaced with positions DepEd decides on. (JC items 8.4 (p. 13) and 10.2 (p. 19))
Because a reclassified teacher starts again at step 1, the gain depends on your step. A Teacher I at step 1 reclassified to Teacher II gains ₱2,242 a month in 2026; a Teacher I at step 8 gains only ₱336, because step 8 of salary grade 11 (₱33,611) is already close to step 1 of salary grade 12. Forms 1-A and 1-B also let a teacher skip a rung: a Teacher I can be reclassified straight to Teacher III or Teacher IV if they meet that position's requirements. The calculator above lists every move each position allows.
Reclassification is not automatic and not part of the salary tranches: the number of teachers reclassified each year depends on that year's lump-sum appropriation and on staffing ratios. The salary grades in the table of positions "shall be deemed updated, adjusted, or modified as may be provided by applicable law or national issuances". (JC item 7.2, p. 8)
What each position needs: Forms 1-A and 1-B
The requirements below are quoted as printed in the circular's Form 1-A (Elementary and Junior High School teachers) and Form 1-B (School Principals). Senior High School has its own forms with track-specific education and experience, at the same positions and grades. The circular sets no requirements for Teacher I, the entry position. For the new positions (Teacher IV, Teacher V, Teacher VI, Teacher VII and Master Teacher V), item 8.2.1 adds: "DepEd shall propose the qualification standards of Teacher IV to VII and Master Teacher V, subject to the approval of the CSC." (JC item 8.2.1, p. 13)
| Position | Career stage | Reclassified from | Education | Training (last 5 years) | Experience | Performance or assessment | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher II (SG 12) | Career Stage I: Beginning | Teacher I | Bachelor's degree in Education; or Bachelor's degree in relevant subject or learning area with at least 18 professional units in Education | 8 hours of training in any of or a cumulative of the following: Curriculum, Pedagogy, Subject Specialization acquired within the last 5 years | 1 year teaching experience | At least 6 Proficient COIs at Very Satisfactory; and at least 4 Proficient NCOIs at Very Satisfactory | 1-A, p. 21 |
| Teacher III (SG 13) | Career Stage I: Beginning | Teacher I, Teacher II | Bachelor's degree in Education; or Bachelor's degree in relevant subject or learning area with at least 18 professional units in Education | 16 hours of training in any of or a cumulative of the following: Curriculum, Pedagogy, Subject Specialization acquired within the last 5 years | 2 years teaching experience | At least 12 Proficient COIs at Very Satisfactory; and at least 8 Proficient NCOIs at Very Satisfactory | 1-A, p. 21 |
| Teacher IV (SG 14)New under EO 174 | Career Stage II: Proficient | Teacher I, Teacher II, Teacher III | Bachelor's degree in Education; or Bachelor's degree in relevant subject or learning area with at least 18 professional units in Education | 16 hours of training in any of or a cumulative of the following: Curriculum, Pedagogy, Subject Specialization acquired within the last 5 years; or completion of NEAP-requisite professional development program for Career Stage II (Proficient Teacher) | 3 years teaching experience | 21 Proficient COIs at Very Satisfactory; and 16 Proficient NCOIs at Very Satisfactory | 1-A, p. 21 |
| Teacher V (SG 15)New under EO 174 | Career Stage II: Proficient | Teacher II, Teacher III, Teacher IV | Bachelor's degree in Education; or Bachelor's degree in relevant subject or learning area with at least 18 professional units in Education | 24 hours of training in any of or a cumulative of the following: Curriculum, Pedagogy, Subject Specialization acquired within the last 5 years; or completion of NEAP-requisite professional development program for Career Stage II (Proficient Teacher) | 3 years teaching experience | At least 6 Proficient COIs at Outstanding; and at least 4 Proficient NCOIs at Outstanding | 1-A, p. 22 |
| Teacher VI (SG 16)New under EO 174 | Career Stage II: Proficient | Teacher III, Teacher IV, Teacher V | Bachelor's degree in Education; or Bachelor's degree in relevant subject or learning area with at least 18 professional units in Education | 24 hours of training in any of or a cumulative of the following: Curriculum, Pedagogy, Subject Specialization, Instructional Supervision acquired within the last 5 years; or completion of NEAP-requisite professional development program for Career Stage II (Proficient Teacher) | 4 years teaching experience | At least 12 Proficient COIs at Outstanding; and at least 4 Proficient NCOIs at Very Satisfactory and 4 Proficient NCOIs at Outstanding | 1-A, p. 22 |
| Teacher VII (SG 17)New under EO 174 | Career Stage II: Proficient | Teacher IV, Teacher V, Teacher VI | Bachelor's degree in Education; or Bachelor's degree in relevant subject or learning area with at least 18 professional units in Education | 32 hours of training in any of or a cumulative of the following: Curriculum, Pedagogy, Subject Specialization, Instructional Supervision acquired within the last 5 years; or completion of NEAP-requisite professional development program for Career Stage II (Proficient Teacher) | 4 years teaching experience | At least 18 Proficient COIs at Outstanding; and at least 6 Proficient NCOIs at Very Satisfactory and 6 Proficient NCOIs at Outstanding | 1-A, p. 23 |
| Master Teacher I (SG 18) | Career Stage III: Highly Proficient | Teacher V, Teacher VI, Teacher VII | Master's degree in Education, or Educational Leadership, or Educational Management, or relevant subject or learning area | 24 hours of training in any of or a cumulative of the following: Curriculum, Pedagogy, Subject Specialization and 8 hours of training in Instructional Supervision acquired within the last 5 years; or completion of NEAP-requisite professional development program for Career Stage III (Highly Proficient Teacher) | 5 years teaching experience | 21 Proficient COIs at Outstanding; and 8 Proficient NCOIs at Very Satisfactory and 8 Proficient NCOIs at Outstanding | 1-A, p. 24 |
| Master Teacher II (SG 19) | Career Stage III: Highly Proficient | Master Teacher I | Master's degree in Education, or Educational Leadership, or Educational Management, or relevant subject or learning area | 24 hours of training in any of or a cumulative of the following: Curriculum, Pedagogy, Subject Specialization and 8 hours of training in Instructional Supervision acquired within the last 5 years; or completion of NEAP-requisite professional development program for Career Stage III (Highly Proficient Teacher) | 5 years teaching experience and 1 year relevant experience in instructional supervision and technical assistance to teachers | At least 10 Highly Proficient COIs at Outstanding; and 5 Highly Proficient NCOIs at Very Satisfactory and 5 Highly Proficient NCOIs at Outstanding | 1-A, p. 24 |
| Master Teacher III (SG 20) | Career Stage IV: Distinguished | Master Teacher I, Master Teacher II | Master's degree in Education, or Educational Leadership, or Educational Management, or relevant subject or learning area | 24 hours of training in any of or a cumulative of the following: Curriculum, Pedagogy, Subject Specialization and 8 hours of training in Instructional Supervision acquired within the last 5 years; or completion of NEAP-requisite professional development program for Career Stage IV (Distinguished Teacher) | 5 years teaching experience and 2 years relevant experience in instructional supervision and technical assistance to teachers | 21 Highly Proficient COIs at Outstanding; and 8 Highly Proficient NCOIs at Very Satisfactory and 8 Highly Proficient NCOIs at Outstanding | 1-A, p. 25 |
| Master Teacher IV (SG 21) | Career Stage IV: Distinguished | Master Teacher III | Master's degree in Education, or Educational Leadership, or Educational Management, or relevant subject or learning area | 24 hours of training in any of or a cumulative of the following: Curriculum, Pedagogy, Subject Specialization and 16 hours of training in Instructional Supervision acquired within the last 5 years; or completion of NEAP-requisite professional development program for Career Stage IV (Distinguished Teacher) | 5 years teaching experience and 3 years relevant experience in instructional supervision and technical assistance to teachers | At least 10 Distinguished COIs at Outstanding; and 5 Distinguished NCOIs at Very Satisfactory and 5 Distinguished NCOIs at Outstanding | 1-A, p. 25 |
| Master Teacher V (SG 22)New under EO 174 | Career Stage IV: Distinguished | Master Teacher III, Master Teacher IV | Master's degree in Education, or Educational Leadership, or Educational Management, or relevant subject or learning area | 24 hours of training in any of or a cumulative of the following: Curriculum, Pedagogy, Subject Specialization and 16 hours of training in Instructional Supervision acquired within the last 5 years; or completion of NEAP-requisite professional development program for Career Stage IV (Distinguished Teacher) | 5 years teaching experience and 4 years relevant experience in instructional supervision and technical assistance to teachers | 21 Distinguished COIs at Outstanding; and 8 Distinguished NCOIs at Very Satisfactory and 8 Distinguished NCOIs at Outstanding | 1-A, p. 26 |
| School Principal I (SG 19) | PPSSH Career Stage II | Master Teacher I, Master Teacher II In the 3-year transition only: Assistant School Principal I, Assistant School Principal II, Head Teacher I, Head Teacher II, Head Teacher III, Head Teacher IV, Head Teacher V, Head Teacher VI | Master's degree in Education, or Educational Management, or Educational Leadership; or Master's degree in relevant learning area with at least 9 units in Management | 32 hours of training in any of or a cumulative of the following: Curriculum, Pedagogy, School Management and Operations, Instructional Leadership acquired within the last 5 years | 5 years teaching experience and 1 year relevant experience in any of the following: learning area coordination, subject area supervision, school management and operations, instructional supervision | Principals' Test or National Qualifying Examination for School Heads (NQESH) passer; or its equivalent | 1-B, p. 27 |
| School Principal II (SG 20) | PPSSH Career Stage II | Master Teacher II, Master Teacher III, School Principal I In the 3-year transition only: Assistant School Principal III | Master's degree in Education, or Educational Management, or Educational Leadership; or Master's degree in relevant learning area with at least 12 units in Management | 32 hours of training in any of or a cumulative of the following: Curriculum, Pedagogy, School Management and Operations, Instructional Leadership acquired within the last 5 years | 5 years teaching experience and 2 years experience in school management and operations | Principals' Test or National Qualifying Examination for School Heads (NQESH) passer; or its equivalent | 1-B, p. 28 |
| School Principal III (SG 21) | PPSSH Career Stage III | Master Teacher II, Master Teacher III, Master Teacher IV, School Principal I, School Principal II | Master's degree in Education, or Educational Management, or Educational Leadership; or Master's degree in relevant learning area with at least 15 units in Management | 40 hours of training in any of or a cumulative of the following: Curriculum, Pedagogy, School Management and Operations, Instructional Leadership acquired within the last 5 years | 5 years teaching experience and 3 years experience in school management and operations | Principals' Test or National Qualifying Examination for School Heads (NQESH) passer; or its equivalent | 1-B, p. 28 |
| School Principal IV (SG 22) | PPSSH Career Stage IV | Master Teacher IV, School Principal III, Master Teacher V | Master's degree in Education, or Educational Management, or Educational Leadership; or Master's degree in relevant learning area with at least 18 units in Management | 40 hours of training in any of or a cumulative of the following: Curriculum, Pedagogy, School Management and Operations, Instructional Leadership acquired within the last 5 years | 5 years teaching experience and 4 years experience in school management and operations | Principals' Test or National Qualifying Examination for School Heads (NQESH) passer; or its equivalent | 1-B, p. 29 |
Every position also needs RA 1080 (teacher) eligibility. COIs and NCOIs are classroom and non-classroom observable indicators of the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers, rated through DepEd's performance system; the circular does not spell them out further. School Principals also need a Principal's Test or NQESH pass, or its equivalent. Source: DepEd-DBM Joint Circular No. 1, s. 2025, Forms 1-A (pp. 21 to 26) and 1-B (pp. 27 to 29).
Head Teacher, Assistant Principal, SNET and SST positions
The circular retitles the old positions to ladder positions of the same salary grade. Retitling is a form of reclassification that does not change the salary grade. (JC item 5.1.7, p. 6) Incumbents of retitled positions keep their present salary rate, including step increments. (JC item 7.6.1.2, p. 12)
| Current position | Retitled to | SG | 2026 step 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant School Principal III | School Principal II or Master Teacher III | 20 | ₱66,052 |
| Assistant School Principal II, Head Teacher VI | School Principal I or Master Teacher II | 19 | ₱59,153 |
| Assistant School Principal I, Head Teacher V, SNET V | Master Teacher I | 18 | ₱53,818 |
| Head Teacher IV, SNET IV | Teacher VII | 17 | ₱49,562 |
| Head Teacher III, SNET III, SST II | Teacher VI | 16 | ₱45,694 |
| Head Teacher II, SNET II | Teacher V | 15 | ₱42,178 |
| Head Teacher I, SNET I | Teacher IV | 14 | ₱38,764 |
| SST I | Teacher III | 13 | ₱36,125 |
Source: JC item 8.5 (pp. 13 to 14). SNET: Special Needs Education Teacher; SST: Special Science Teacher.
- Assistant School Principal III and II and Head Teacher VI who meet the School Principal qualification standards and passed the Principal's Test or NQESH are retitled School Principal; the others are retitled Master Teacher. (JC items 8.5.1.1 and 8.5.1.2, p. 14)
- Assistant School Principal I and Head Teacher I to V may keep their title or be retitled, and may ask for retitling at any time in the 3-year transition. In that period they can be promoted or reclassified to School Principal I without passing through Master Teacher I. A title kept after the transition becomes co-terminus with the incumbent and turns into Teacher I when it falls vacant. (JC item 8.5.2, pp. 15 to 16)
- Special Needs Education Teachers (SNET) and Special Science Teachers (SST) are retitled to the equivalent ECP position and keep SNET or SST as a title in brackets. (JC item 8.5.3, p. 16)
Public and private school teachers compared
PSA's PSA 2024 Occupational Wages Survey measured private school pay in the payroll period that included 31 August 2024, in schools with 10 or more workers. Primary school teachers in private education averaged ₱16,120 a month and secondary teachers ₱16,175, including regular allowances. In 2024 a public Teacher I was paid ₱28,512 a month at step 1 (first tranche of EO 64, in effect from 1 January 2024), about 77% more than the private primary average, before any allowance.
| Private education, August 2024 | Average a month | 90% range | CV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Educators | ₱15,905 | ₱15,283 to ₱16,527 | 2.4% |
| Primary School Teachers | ₱16,120 | ₱15,526 to ₱16,713 | 2.2% |
| Secondary Education Teachers | ₱16,175 | ₱15,742 to ₱16,609 | 1.6% |
| Science and Mathematics Teaching Professionals | ₱20,012 | ₱17,600 to ₱22,423 | 7.3% |
| All workers in private education | ₱18,688 | ||
| Public Teacher I, step 1, 2024 (basic salary) | ₱28,512 |
Source: PSA 2024 Occupational Wages Survey, average monthly wage rate of time-rated workers on full-time basis, industry "Education except Public Education" (Table 1 of the standard errors workbook; all-workers figure from PSA OpenStat); EO 64, Section 3. CV: coefficient of variation; PSA advises caution above 10%.
The comparison is not exact. The private figure is an average across every experience level and includes regular allowances; the public figure is the entry rate and is basic salary only, before PERA and other allowances. Neither includes the 13th month pay or year-end bonus. The survey leaves out public schools by design, so it cannot be used to check public pay.
Limits
- These are basic salary rates from the national schedule. PERA, allowances, the mid-year and year-end bonuses, the cash gift and other benefits are set by other issuances and are not included.
- Take-home is an estimate for a regular employee: GSIS at 9% of basic salary, PhilHealth at 2.5% (5% shared) up to ₱100,000, Pag-IBIG at 2% of up to ₱10,000, and withholding tax worked out on the year. Loans, union dues and other authorised deductions are not taken off.
- The circular covers positions in DepEd-managed schools. Teachers in Philippine Science High Schools, SUC and LUC laboratory schools, PHSA, NAS and BARMM are outside it (items 4.1 to 4.3, p. 4), and may have other titles and grades.
- Requirements are quoted from Forms 1-A and 1-B as printed. DepEd's own implementing guidelines (DepEd Orders No. 24 and 34, s. 2025) set the assessment process and were not used for this page. The CSC still has to approve DepEd's proposed qualification standards for Teacher IV to VII and Master Teacher V (item 8.2.1).
- Form 1-B (p. 28) lists Assistant School Principal III at SG 19 as a source position for School Principal II, while the retitling table (p. 14) and DBM's 2022 Index of Occupational Services put it at SG 20. We show SG 20.
- The 2027 rates are those set in Executive Order No. 64; DBM normally confirms each tranche in a National Budget Circular in January.
Questions
How much is the Teacher 1 salary in 2026?
₱31,705 a month at step 1 (salary grade 11), rising to ₱33,611 at step 8, from 1 January 2026. That is ₱1,681 more than in 2025 (₱30,024). After GSIS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG and withholding tax, a Teacher I at step 1 takes home about ₱26,805.08 a month. In 2027 the rate rises to ₱33,387.
How much is the Teacher 3 salary?
Teacher III is salary grade 13: ₱36,125 a month at step 1 and ₱38,241 at step 8 in 2026, about ₱30,130.03 take-home at step 1. In 2027 step 1 rises to ₱37,828. Old Special Science Teacher I posts were retitled Teacher III, at the same grade.
What is the salary grade of Teacher 6?
Salary grade 16, which pays ₱45,694 a month at step 1 and ₱49,020 at step 8 in 2026. Teacher IV to VII were authorised by Executive Order No. 174, s. 2022 and put at salary grades 14 to 17 by DepEd-DBM Joint Circular No. 1, s. 2025. Head Teacher III, SNET III and SST II posts were retitled Teacher VI.
How much does a Master Teacher 1 earn?
Master Teacher I is salary grade 18: ₱53,818 a month at step 1 in 2026, up to ₱57,842 at step 8, and about ₱42,734.81 take-home at step 1. Master Teacher II to V are salary grades 19 to 22 (₱59,153 to ₱81,796 at step 1).
How much is a school principal salary in the Philippines?
School Principal I to IV are salary grades 19 to 22: ₱59,153 a month for a School Principal I at step 1, up to ₱81,796 for a School Principal IV at step 1 and ₱90,295 at step 8, in 2026. They sit at the same grades as Master Teacher II to V.
How do I move from Teacher I to Teacher II?
By reclassification of your position. Form 1-A of Joint Circular No. 1, s. 2025 asks for a bachelor's degree in Education (or a relevant degree with 18 professional units in Education), 1 year teaching experience, 8 hours of relevant training in the last 5 years, RA 1080 eligibility and the performance indicators it lists. You are paid step 1 of the new grade (₱33,947 in 2026). Approved reclassifications are funded each year: regions submit their list of qualified teachers by 30 November and appointments are issued by 30 March.
When is the next salary increase for teachers?
On 1 January 2027, the fourth and final tranche of Executive Order No. 64, s. 2024. Teacher I step 1 goes from ₱31,705 to ₱33,387 a month, Master Teacher I from ₱53,818 to ₱56,332 and School Principal IV from ₱81,796 to ₱85,431. What comes after 2027 has not been announced.
Sources
- DepEd-DBM Joint Circular No. 1, s. 2025: Modified Position Classification and Compensation Scheme and System of Career Progression of Teachers and School Heads (19 February 2025)
- Executive Order No. 64, s. 2024: Updating the Salary Schedule for Civilian Government Personnel (2 August 2024)
- DBM National Budget Circular No. 601: third tranche, effective 1 January 2026
- DBM National Budget Circular No. 597: second tranche, effective 1 January 2025
- Executive Order No. 174, s. 2022: Establishing the Expanded Career Progression System for Public School Teachers (the legal basis of Teacher IV to VII and Master Teacher V, cited in the Joint Circular, item 1.7).
- DepEd, Frequently asked questions on DepEd Orders No. 024 and 034, s. 2025 (DM-OUHROD-2025-3003, 24 October 2025): its career ladder chart puts Master Teacher II to V at salary grades 19 to 22, alongside School Principal I to IV.
- Philippine Statistics Authority, 2024 Occupational Wages Survey: statistical tables, standard errors and technical notes
- Republic Act No. 8291 (GSIS Act of 1997), Section 5: contributions
- Republic Act No. 11223 (Universal Health Care Act), Section 10: PhilHealth premium rates
- Republic Act No. 10963 (TRAIN law): income tax schedule from 2023 and the PHP 90,000 exemption
- DBM Circular Letter No. 2024-2: Pag-IBIG maximum fund salary of PHP 10,000
Positions and grades were read from the signed Joint Circular and checked on its page images; every peso figure on this page is looked up from the salary schedule tables, which are tested against the examples DBM prints in NBC 601.
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