Government employees and aspiring civil servants often ask the same question every year: How much does a government employee earn in the Philippines?
Whether you’re preparing for the Civil Service Examination, currently working in the public sector, or exploring a career in government, understanding the Government Salary Grade 2026 system helps you set realistic expectations, plan your career trajectory, and evaluate long-term opportunities in public service.
What Is a Government Salary Grade?
The Philippine government uses a standardized compensation system called the Salary Grade (SG) system, which determines the monthly basic pay of civilian government employees based on the complexity of their duties, level of responsibilities, and required qualifications.
Salary grades range from SG 1 (the lowest classification) to SG 33 (the highest), with each grade corresponding to a specific monthly salary range. Higher salary grades reflect more complex roles and greater responsibilities — and correspondingly higher pay. Phsalarygrade
What Is the 2026 Salary Increase?
Third Tranche Under Executive Order No. 64
Civilian government employees started 2026 with higher pay, as salary increases under the government’s updated compensation program officially took effect retroactive to January 1, 2026. The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) implemented the third tranche of the revised salary schedule following the issuance of National Budget Circular No. 601 (NBC No. 601), dated January 22, signed by Acting Budget Secretary Rolando Toledo. Gulf News
The salary adjustments are implemented in four tranches from 2024 to 2027, with an average total increase of approximately 18 percent across all covered positions. OWWA Member
Who Is Covered?
The salary adjustment applies broadly to all civilian government personnel, regardless of employment status — whether regular, casual, or contractual; appointive or elective; and full-time or part-time — across the executive, legislative, and judicial branches; constitutional commissions; state universities and colleges; and government-owned or -controlled corporations not covered by a separate law. Gulf News
How Are Salaries Adjusted?
The salaries of incumbent personnel are adjusted based on the Third Tranche Salary Schedule, corresponding to the salary grade and step of their position as of December 31, 2025. New hires, as well as casual and contractual employees, receive salaries at Step 1 of the applicable salary grade. Compulsory retirees whose services were extended beyond December 31, 2025 are also entitled to the salary increase, subject to specific provisions in the circular. Gulf News
Illustrative examples from NBC No. 601:
- An Administrative Officer II (SG-11) earning ₱30,024 as of December 31, 2025 will receive an adjusted salary of ₱31,705 effective January 1, 2026.
- A Senior Agrarian Reform Program Officer (SG-18) with a salary of ₱51,304 will have this adjusted to ₱53,818. Gulf News
Salary Grade 2026 Table
[Insert official 2026 Salary Grade Table here — use a WordPress or Spectra Table block for the complete SG 1–33 schedule per NBC No. 601.]
Key reference figures from the 2026 schedule:
| Salary Grade | Step 1 Monthly Rate | Common Position Examples |
|---|---|---|
| SG 1 | ₱14,634 | Utility Worker |
| SG 10 | ₱26,917 | Administrative Aide VI |
| SG 11 | ₱31,705 | Teacher I / Admin Officer II |
| SG 12 | ₱33,947 | Teacher II |
| SG 15 | ₱42,178 | Nurse I |
| SG 18 | ₱53,818 | Engineer II / Nurse III |
| SG 24 | ₱102,603 | Division Chief |
| SG 25 | ₱116,643 | Senior Technical Specialist |
| SG 33 | ₱449,157 | President of the Philippines |
Source: DBM NBC No. 601, EO No. 64 (SSL VI Third Tranche). Figures reflect Step 1 basic pay only, before allowances and deductions.
Salary Grade vs. Step Increment: What’s the Difference?
Many people confuse salary grades with salary steps — they are two different things.
- Salary Grade — the classification level assigned to a position, based on duties and qualifications.
- Step Increment — an increase within the same salary grade, earned through years of satisfactory service or merit.
Each salary grade contains 8 progressive steps. Employees typically advance one step every three years of satisfactory service, with each step increment representing approximately a 3% salary increase, allowing for predictable career progression. Salarygradeph
For example: two employees may hold the same SG 15 position, but one at Step 5 earns more than a colleague at Step 1 — even though their job titles are identical.
Government Positions by Salary Grade
SG 1–5: Entry-Level Support Roles
Positions: Utility Worker, Laborer, Administrative Aide I–IV These require minimal formal qualifications and cover basic operational and support functions.
SG 6–10: Semi-Skilled and Clerical Roles
Positions: Administrative Assistant, Revenue Collection Clerk, Clerk III These involve routine administrative duties and usually require at least high school or vocational qualifications.
SG 11–15: Professional Entry to Mid-Level
Positions: Teacher I–II, Nurse I, Administrative Officer II–III, Accountant I, Budget Officer I, HRMO I SG 11 (usually Teacher I) pays between ₱31,705 (Step 1) and ₱33,611 (Step 8) per month. SG 15 (commonly Nurse I) starts at approximately ₱42,178 at Step 1. Salarygradeph
SG 16–20: Experienced Professionals and Supervisors
Positions: Engineer II, Nurse III, Teacher III, Senior Administrative Officer, Social Welfare Officer III SG 18 generally ranges from ₱53,818 (Step 1) to above ₱57,842 (Step 8) under the 2026 salary schedule. Salarygradeph
SG 21–25: Middle Management
Positions: Chief Administrative Officer, Division Chief, Senior Technical Specialist SG 25 at Step 1 is approximately ₱116,643. Salarygradeph
SG 26–33: Executive and Leadership Positions
Positions: Director, Assistant Secretary, Undersecretary, Cabinet Secretary, Vice President, President The salary grade range in 2026 tops out at ₱449,157, assigned exclusively to SG 33 — the President of the Republic. Philippine Go
Why the Salary Grade System Matters for CSE Takers
For Civil Service Exam examinees and passers, understanding the salary grade structure is more than just knowing how much you’ll earn — it’s a roadmap for your public service career.
- Permanent plantilla positions are assigned specific salary grades, giving you a clear baseline from Day 1.
- Step increments reward tenure and performance within the same position.
- Promotions to higher salary grades come with clearly defined qualification requirements.
- Government benefits — GSIS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, leave credits, and step-based pay increases — compound over a career in ways private sector compensation often doesn’t replicate at the same levels.
Passing the CSE Career Service Professional or Sub-Professional exam doesn’t automatically raise your pay, but it qualifies you for permanent positions across agencies — positions that carry defined salary grades, security of tenure, and access to the full government benefits package.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the legal basis for the 2026 salary schedule? The 2026 salary schedule is authorized under Executive Order No. 64, which updates the Salary Schedule for Civilian Government Personnel. The executive order is grounded in the Salary Standardization Law of 2019 and the Compensation and Position Classification System. The third tranche took effect January 1, 2026. Government Philippines
What is the lowest salary grade in 2026? The 2026 salary schedule starts at ₱14,634 per month at SG 1, Step 1 — typically covering basic utility and support positions. Philippine Go
What is SG 11 in 2026? An Administrative Officer II at SG 11 earning ₱30,024 as of December 31, 2025 received an adjusted salary of ₱31,705 effective January 1, 2026. Teacher I positions are also commonly classified at SG 11. INQUIRER.net
Does the salary schedule cover local government employees? Local Government Units may adopt the 2026 salary schedule based on their income classification, subject to their local council’s budget approval and applicable laws. Employees should check with their respective HRMO for implementation status. Government Philippines
Will there be another increase in 2027? Yes. The four-tranche schedule runs from 2024 through 2027, meaning a fourth and final tranche increase is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027. OWWA Member
Does passing the Civil Service Exam increase my salary? Not directly. Passing the CSE qualifies you for permanent government positions, which carry defined salary grades, job security, and full government benefits — but the exam itself is an eligibility requirement, not a compensation adjustment.
Final Thoughts
The Government Salary Grade 2026 system provides a transparent, structured framework for public sector compensation in the Philippines. With the third tranche of EO 64 now in effect, covered employees across all branches of government are receiving updated pay rates that are part of a four-year plan to bring government salaries closer to private sector levels.
Whether you’re a CSE passer targeting your first permanent appointment or a seasoned public servant planning your next promotion, knowing where your position falls on the salary grade table — and how step increments work — puts you in a much stronger position to plan your career.
Explore our other guides on CSE eligibility requirements, government job openings, and exam reviewer resources to help you take the next step in your public service journey.
Related Topics
To learn more about navigating your career in the Philippine government, explore our deep-dive guides: