Teacher Salary Philippines 2026: How Much Do Teachers Earn?

Around one million teachers serve in the Philippine public-school system, with many more working in private schools, colleges, universities, and other learning institutions.  

With new teaching positions, wider promotion paths, and ongoing salary adjustments, now may be a good time to explore a career in education.  

This guide breaks down the teacher salary in the Philippines schedule for 2026, including how much Teacher I to Teacher III, and Master Teacher I positions earn. 

Public school salaries follow the government salary schedule, while private school salaries vary from one institution to another.

What’s important to understand first is that a teacher’s salary grade depends on the official position they hold. Teacher I is assigned to SG 11, Teacher II to SG 12, and Teacher III to SG 13.  

Public school Teacher I positions start at ₱31,705 per month in 2026, while senior teaching positions such as Master Teacher I earn significantly more under the government salary schedule.

Public school teachers follow the national government’s salary schedule, which sets the monthly basic salary for each salary grade and step.  

The Department of Budget and Management implemented the third tranche of the updated schedule on January 1, 2026, under Executive Order No. 64.

Here are the 2026 basic monthly salary ranges for selected teaching positions:

These are gross basic salaries, meaning the amounts are shown before deductions. The exact amount a teacher receives depends on the step assigned to the employee within the salary grade. A new government hire generally starts at Step 1, while qualified employees may move to higher steps over time.

The salary schedule applies to most government employees, including regular and contractual workers covered by government compensation rules. Some worker categories, such as job order personnel, follow different pay arrangements. 

The updated salary schedule was designed to be implemented in four tranches from 2024 to 2027. The 2025 figures came from the second tranche, while the 2026 figures come from the third tranche.  

Here is a comparison of the starting basic salaries:

The Teacher 1 salary 2025 started at ₱30,024 per month under Salary Grade 11. In 2026, the Step 1 amount increased to ₱31,705.  

The Teacher 3 salary 2025 started at ₱34,421 under Salary Grade 13. The 2026 starting amount is ₱36,125. Depending on the employee’s assigned step, the Teacher 3 salary can reach ₱38,241 under the 2026 schedule.  

These increases refer only to monthly basic salary. They do not automatically show the teacher’s final take-home pay or total yearly compensation. 

In government service, each teaching position is assigned a salary grade. Think of it as a pay level. Higher positions usually have higher salary grades and higher pay.  

Each salary grade contains eight steps, with the monthly amount increasing from Step 1 to Step 8.  

Your position determines your salary grade. Your step determines your exact basic salary within that grade.

For example:

• A Teacher I at SG 11, Step 1 earns a basic salary of ₱31,705 in 2026.  
• A Teacher I at SG 11, Step 8 earns ₱33,611.  
• A Teacher III at SG 13, Step 1 earns ₱36,125.  
• A Teacher III at SG 13, Step 8 earns ₱38,241.  

A step increase means your salary goes up even if you keep the same position. It is different from a promotion, which usually moves you to a higher salary grade.

New public school teachers usually start at Step 1 of their salary grade. As they gain experience and qualify for higher steps, their salary may increase over time.

Promotion is not automatic. It may depend on available positions, performance, qualifications, experience, training, and the applicable Department of Education rules. 

The Master Teacher 1 salary falls under Salary Grade 18. Under the 2026 government salary schedule, the basic monthly amount ranges from ₱53,818 at Step 1 to ₱57,842 at Step 8.

For comparison, the 2025 basic salary ranged from ₱51,304 to ₱55,140. This means the starting amount increased by ₱2,514 under the 2026 schedule.

Master Teacher positions generally involve more advanced teaching responsibilities. They may also include mentoring other teachers, helping improve instruction, and supporting professional development within the school.  

Appointment or promotion still depends on the qualification and career progression standards that apply to the position.

Holding a master’s degree does not automatically make someone a Master Teacher I. “Master Teacher I” is an official position title, while a master’s degree is an academic qualification. An applicant must still meet the position’s requirements and complete the applicable promotion or appointment process. 

The government salary schedule applies to covered public school teaching positions. Private schools follow their own compensation policies, so salaries can vary considerably based on the institution.

A private school may consider factors such as:

• School size and available budget  
• Location and local cost of living  
• Grade level or subjects handled  
• Teaching experience  
• Educational background and professional licenses  
• Additional administrative or extracurricular duties  

Because private schools do not use one nationwide salary table, two teachers with similar experience may receive different offers. Review the full compensation package instead of comparing basic salary alone.

Ask about paid leave, health coverage, bonuses, teaching loads, overtime policies, and opportunities for promotion. You should also confirm whether the amount in a job offer is gross pay or estimated take-home pay.

Public and private school salaries may both be affected by required deductions. Your payslip gives a more realistic picture of how much money you can use for household expenses, savings, and debt payments. 

Q: What is the Teacher 1 salary in 2026?  
A: A public school Teacher I under Salary Grade 11 earns a basic monthly salary ranging from ₱31,705 at Step 1 to ₱33,611 at Step 8 in 2026. The amount is before deductions.  

Q: How much is the Teacher 3 salary in 2026?  
A: A Teacher III under Salary Grade 13 earns between ₱36,125 and ₱38,241 per month under the 2026 national government salary schedule. The exact basic salary depends on the employee’s step.  

Q: What was the Teacher 1 salary in 2025?  
A: The Teacher I basic monthly salary ranged from ₱30,024 at Step 1 to ₱32,099 at Step 8 in 2025. These rates came from the second tranche of the updated government salary schedule.  

Q: How much is the Master Teacher 1 salary?  
A: The Master Teacher I basic salary ranges from ₱53,818 to ₱57,842 per month in 2026. Master Teacher I is classified under Salary Grade 18.  

Q: Do private school teachers receive the same salary as public school teachers?  
A: Not necessarily. Private schools set compensation based on their own policies, budgets, locations, and job requirements, while covered public school positions follow the government salary schedule. 

Before applying for financing, base your budget on your net pay, or the amount deposited after deductions. Gross salary can make a loan payment appear more affordable than it really is.

List your essential monthly expenses first, including food, housing, utilities, transportation, school costs, insurance, and existing debts. You can then check how much remains for savings and a possible monthly loan payment.

Borrowing carries responsibility. Interest and other charges increase the total amount you repay, while missed payments may lead to fees and may affect your credit record.  

Compare the total repayment amount, payment schedule, loan term, and applicable charges before agreeing to an offer.

With Home Credit, you can explore financing options that fit your needs and budget. Download the Home Credit App to check the options available to you.