If you work for the Philippine government — or you’re planning to — one question always comes up sooner or later: “How much should I actually be earning?” The answer depends on two numbers: your Salary Grade (SG) and your Step. Get those two right, and you can predict your monthly and annual pay almost to the peso.
That’s exactly what our Salary Grade Calculator Philippines is built to do. Instead of manually scanning through a dense government salary table, you simply select your Salary Grade and Step, and the tool instantly shows your monthly salary, your annual salary, and how much more you’d earn at the next step or grade.
This guide explains how the calculator works, how Salary Grades and Steps are structured under the Third Tranche of the Salary Standardization Law (Executive Order No. 64, s. 2024), effective January 1, 2026, and how to use the numbers to plan your government career.
👉 Use the Salary Grade Calculator here: Salary Grade Calculator
This tool and guide are useful for:
- Government employees who want to check if they’re being paid correctly, or who want to see what a promotion or step increment would mean for their take-home pay
- Job applicants deciding between offers, or trying to understand what a job posting’s Salary Grade actually translates to in pesos
- Civil Service Exam passers who are about to apply for a plantilla position and want to know what to expect
- Students and career planners exploring what different government careers pay over time
What is the Salary Grade Calculator Philippines? The Salary Grade Calculator Philippines is a tool that estimates a government employee’s monthly and annual salary based on Salary Grade (SG) and Step. It uses the latest salary schedule under Executive Order No. 64, s. 2024, and the Third Tranche effective January 1, 2026.
What Is a Salary Grade?
A Salary Grade (SG) is the classification system used to standardize pay across all civilian positions in Philippine government agencies — national government agencies, local government units (LGUs), state universities, and government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) that follow the standard schedule.
There are 33 Salary Grades, numbered from SG 1 (the lowest, typically utility workers and messengers) up to SG 33 (the highest, currently assigned to the President of the Philippines).
The system exists so that positions with similar levels of responsibility, educational requirements, and complexity are paid similarly, regardless of which agency or region they’re in. For example, an Administrative Assistant II in one department and an Administrative Assistant II in another department should, in principle, sit at the same Salary Grade and therefore earn the same base pay — even if the agencies themselves are completely different.
Each Salary Grade has its own salary schedule, and this is where the numbers actually come from. As the Salary Grade number goes up, the monthly salary at every step also goes up — but not evenly. The jump between grades gets larger the higher you climb, which is why the difference between SG 1 and SG 2 is only a few hundred pesos, while the difference between SG 24 and SG 25 can be over ₱14,000.
Salary Grades are governed by the Salary Standardization Law, most recently updated through Executive Order No. 64, s. 2024, which is being rolled out in four annual tranches from 2024 to 2027. Each tranche increases the salary schedule. The current, active schedule is the Third Tranche, implemented under DBM National Budget Circular No. 601 and effective January 1, 2026. A fourth and final tranche is scheduled for 2027.
What Is a Salary Step?
Within every Salary Grade, there are eight Steps, numbered Step 1 through Step 8. Step 1 is the entry point for that grade, and Step 8 is the ceiling.
Here’s the key thing to understand: your Salary Grade is tied to your position, but your Step moves on its own over time, even if your job title never changes.
How employees move up in Step
There are generally two ways an employee advances from one step to the next:
- Length of service (longevity step increment) — Employees typically move up one step every three years of continuous, satisfactory service in the same position, without needing a promotion.
- Merit increase — Some agencies grant a step increase for outstanding performance ratings, even before the three-year mark, subject to Civil Service Commission (CSC) and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) rules.
Step increase vs. Promotion — don’t confuse them
This is one of the most common points of confusion for government employees:
- A step increase keeps you in the same Salary Grade — you’re still the same position, just earning slightly more because of tenure or merit. For example, moving from SG 11 Step 1 to SG 11 Step 4.
- A promotion moves you to a higher Salary Grade entirely, usually because you moved to a new position with more responsibility — for example, from Administrative Assistant II (SG 8) to Accountant I (SG 12).
Promotions typically bring a much bigger jump in pay than step increases, since you’re now on an entirely different (and higher) salary schedule.
How to Use the Salary Grade Calculator
The Salary Grade Calculator Philippines is designed to be simple enough to use in under a minute, whether you’re on a desktop or on your phone.
Step 1: Select Your Salary Grade
Choose your Salary Grade from the dropdown, numbered 1 to 33. If you’re not sure what your Salary Grade is, check your appointment paper, Notice of Salary Adjustment, or your agency’s plantilla of positions — your SG is usually printed right next to your position title. If you’re a job applicant, the Salary Grade is often listed in the job posting itself.
Step 2: Select Your Salary Step
Choose your current Step, from 1 to 8. New government employees almost always start at Step 1 unless they’re given a step increment on hiring due to relevant prior government experience (this is allowed under certain CSC and DBM guidelines, though it’s not automatic).
Step 3: View Your Salary Results
Once you’ve selected your Salary Grade and Step, the calculator instantly displays:
- Monthly Salary — your gross basic monthly pay under the selected SG and Step
- Annual Salary — your monthly salary multiplied across 12 months, giving you a full-year base pay figure (this does not yet include the 13th month pay, bonuses, or allowances)
- Estimated salary increase — how much more you’d earn if you moved up one Step, or one full Salary Grade, so you can see the financial impact of tenure or promotion at a glance
This makes it easy to answer questions like “how much more will I earn after my next step increment” or “is it worth applying for that SG 15 position instead of staying at my current SG 12 role.”
Sample Salary Grade Computations (2026 Third Tranche)
To show you exactly how the calculator works, here are three worked examples using the 2026 Third Tranche salary schedule under DBM National Budget Circular No. 601, effective January 1, 2026.
Example 1: Salary Grade 11, Step 1
Salary Grade 11 typically covers positions such as Teacher I, Agriculturist I, or Social Welfare Officer I.
| Computation | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly Basic Salary (SG 11, Step 1) | ₱31,705 |
| Annual Basic Salary (×12) | ₱380,460 |
If this same employee reaches Step 8 within the same Salary Grade (after roughly 21 years of step increments, assuming the standard three-year cycle), their monthly basic salary rises to ₱33,611 — a step-based increase of about ₱1,906 per month, without any change in position.
Example 2: Salary Grade 18, Step 5
Salary Grade 18 is common among experienced professionals and supervisory personnel with specialized technical functions, such as Engineer II or Nurse III.
| Computation | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly Basic Salary (SG 18, Step 5) | ₱56,075 |
| Annual Basic Salary (×12) | ₱672,900 |
Compared to Step 1 of the same grade (₱53,818), this employee is earning about ₱2,257 more per month simply from step progression over time — again, with no change in job title.
Example 3: Salary Grade 24, Step 8
Salary Grade 24 generally applies to senior division chief or director-level technical positions.
| Computation | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly Basic Salary (SG 24, Step 8) | ₱114,301 |
| Annual Basic Salary (×12) | ₱1,371,612 |
This is the maximum possible pay within SG 24 — an employee at this Step has typically reached the ceiling of that Salary Grade and would need a promotion to a higher grade (such as SG 25) to see further base pay growth.
Note: These figures reflect the 2026 Third Tranche schedule under EO 64, s. 2024, per DBM National Budget Circular No. 601. A fourth and final tranche is scheduled to take effect in 2027. Always cross-check your exact figure against your agency’s payroll office or the latest DBM circular before making financial decisions.
Salary Grade and Step Progression Explained
Understanding how the numbers grow from step to step — and from grade to grade — helps you set realistic expectations for your government career.
How step increments work
Within a single Salary Grade, each step typically adds a modest, incremental amount to your monthly salary — usually somewhere between ₱100 and a few hundred pesos at the lower grades, and a few thousand pesos at the higher grades. This is intentional: step increases are meant to reward loyalty and consistent service, not to replace the bigger financial impact of an actual promotion.
Annual progression
Under the standard CSC rule, employees are eligible for a step increment every three years of continuous and satisfactory service in the same position. This means:
- Step 1 → Step 2: after 3 years
- Step 2 → Step 3: after another 3 years
- …and so on, up to Step 8
At this pace, it would take 21 years to move from Step 1 to Step 8 purely through length-of-service increments — which is one reason many government employees pursue promotions to higher Salary Grades rather than waiting for step increments alone.
Merit and length-of-service increases
Some agencies, subject to CSC and DBM guidelines, allow a merit-based step increment for employees who receive an “Outstanding” performance rating for two consecutive rating periods. This can accelerate an employee’s step progression without needing to wait the full three years. However, this is agency-discretionary and depends on available performance evaluation systems and budget allocation.
Who Can Use the Salary Grade Calculator?
Government Employees
Current employees can use the calculator to double-check their payslip, project their future earnings as they accumulate step increments, or evaluate whether a lateral transfer or promotion offer is financially worth it.
Job Applicants
If you’re applying for a government position and the job posting only lists a Salary Grade (e.g., “SG 11”), the calculator instantly converts that into an actual peso amount — helping you compare offers or decide if the pay meets your expectations before you even go through the interview process.
Civil Service Examinees
Civil Service Exam passers preparing to apply for plantilla positions can use the calculator to understand the pay difference between eligible positions at different Salary Grades — useful when deciding which vacancies to prioritize.
Students Exploring Government Careers
Students weighing a future in public service — whether as a teacher, nurse, engineer, or administrative professional — can use the calculator to get a realistic picture of entry-level pay (Step 1) and long-term earning potential (Step 8, or after a series of promotions).
Salary Grade Calculator for Teachers
One of the most common searches on this topic is “salary grade calculator teacher” — and for good reason. Public school teaching positions map directly onto the Salary Grade schedule, from entry-level Teacher I all the way up to Master Teacher IV.
| Position | Salary Grade | 2026 Monthly (Step 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher I (entry) | SG 11 | ₱31,705 |
| Teacher II | SG 12 | ₱33,947 |
| Teacher III | SG 13 | ₱36,125 |
| Teacher IV | SG 14 | ₱38,764 |
| Teacher V | SG 15 | ₱42,178 |
| Teacher VI | SG 16 | ₱45,694 |
| Teacher VII | SG 17 | ₱49,562 |
| Master Teacher I | SG 18 | ₱53,818 |
| Master Teacher II | SG 19 | ₱59,153 |
| Master Teacher III | SG 20 | ₱66,052 |
| Master Teacher IV | SG 21 | ₱73,303 |
A newly hired Teacher I typically enters at SG 11, Step 1. As they accumulate step increments and eventually qualify for promotion to Teacher II, Teacher III, or the Master Teacher track, both their Salary Grade and Step increase — and so does their monthly pay. Simply select the matching Salary Grade in the calculator above to see the exact Step-by-Step breakdown for any teaching position.
Note: figures above do not yet include PERA, the chalk allowance, or other DepEd-specific bonuses.
Salary Grade Calculator for Nurses
Government nursing salaries follow their own ladder, set apart from most other professional positions by Republic Act 9173 (the Philippine Nursing Act), which guarantees an entry-level Nurse I a minimum of Salary Grade 15 — several grades higher than most other entry-level professional roles.
| Position | Salary Grade | 2026 Monthly (Step 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse I (entry) | SG 15 | ₱42,178 |
| Nurse II | SG 16 | ₱45,694 |
| Nurse III | SG 17 | ₱49,562 |
| Nurse IV | SG 19 | ₱59,153 |
| Nurse V | SG 20 | ₱66,052 |
| Nurse VI | SG 22 | ₱81,796 |
| Nurse VII | SG 24 | ₱102,603 |
Searching for a “salary grade calculator nurse”? Just plug in the Salary Grade next to your Nurse level above, choose your current Step, and the calculator will show your exact monthly and annual basic pay. Keep in mind that public-health nurses covered under the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers (RA 7305) may also receive hazard pay, subsistence and laundry allowance, and night-shift differential on top of this base figure.
Salary Grade Calculator for Engineers
Licensed engineers entering government service — at agencies like the DPWH or an LGU engineering office — typically start as Engineer I and move up the Engineer ladder as they take on more design, supervisory, and project-management responsibilities.
| Position | Salary Grade | 2026 Monthly (Step 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Engineer I (entry) | SG 12 | ₱33,947 |
| Engineer II | SG 16 | ₱45,694 |
| Engineer III | SG 19 | ₱59,153 |
| Engineer IV | SG 22 | ₱81,796 |
| Engineer V | SG 24 | ₱102,603 |
If you’re looking for a “salary grade calculator engineer,” these are the Salary Grades to select. Engineer positions generally require the relevant PRC professional license (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and so on) under RA 1080 eligibility, and supervisory-level Engineer III positions and above may also receive RATA in addition to basic pay.
Salary Grade Calculator for Administrative Officers
Administrative Officer positions are among the most commonly posted plantilla items across national agencies and LGUs, which is why “salary grade calculator government employee” searches so often lead back to this specific career track.
| Position | Salary Grade | 2026 Monthly (Step 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Officer I | SG 9–10* | ₱24,329–₱26,917* |
| Administrative Officer II | SG 11 | ₱31,705 |
| Administrative Officer III | SG 14 | ₱38,764 |
| Administrative Officer IV | SG 15–22** | ₱42,178–₱81,796** |
| Administrative Officer V | SG 18 | ₱53,818 |
*Administrative Officer I is classified as SG 9 in some agencies’ plantillas and SG 10 in others (per CSC’s generic/parenthetical title guidance) — confirm with the specific job posting or plantilla item.
***Administrative Officer IV shows the widest variation of the series. The Civil Service Commission has confirmed that different agencies assign this title anywhere from SG 15 to as high as SG 22, depending on the specific duties, responsibilities, and qualification standards attached to that plantilla item. Always check the actual job posting or Notice of Salary Adjustment for the exact grade — do not assume based on the title alone.
As with teachers, nurses, and engineers, match your specific Administrative Officer level to its typical Salary Grade above, then use the calculator to see the full Step 1–8 breakdown and your projected annual pay. Unlike teachers, nurses, and engineers — whose Salary Grades are fixed nationally by law or DBM issuance — the Administrative Officer series is classified per plantilla item, so the same title can carry a different Salary Grade from one agency to the next. Always verify against your own appointment paper or job posting rather than relying on the title alone.
Salary Grade Calculator by Agency
Salary Grades apply the same way across the entire government, but the day-to-day mix of positions — and the typical entry-level grade new hires start at — looks different depending on which agency you’re joining. Here’s a quick reference for five of the most commonly searched agencies.
| Agency | Typical Entry-Level Positions | Common Salary Grade Range |
|---|---|---|
| DepEd (Department of Education) | Teacher I to Master Teacher IV | SG 11–21 |
| DOH (Department of Health) | Nurse I, Medical Officer, Midwife, Pharmacist | SG 9–24+ |
| DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) | Social Welfare Assistant, Social Welfare Officer I–V | SG 8–24 |
| DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) | Engineer I to Engineer V, Engineering Aide | SG 6–24 |
| BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) | Revenue Collection Clerk, Revenue Officer I–IV | SG 8–24 |
DepEd Salary Grade
Anyone searching “DepEd salary grade” is almost always looking for the teaching ladder covered earlier in this guide — Teacher I at SG 11 through Master Teacher IV at SG 21. DepEd also employs non-teaching administrative and support staff, who follow the standard SG 1–24 schedule like any other national agency.
DOH Salary Grade
“DOH salary grade” searches usually relate to frontline health worker positions. Nurse I enters at SG 15 under the Philippine Nursing Act, while Medical Officers, Midwives, Medical Technologists, and Pharmacists each follow their own professional ladders, generally starting between SG 9 and SG 15 for entry-level roles and rising into the SG 20s for senior medical and supervisory positions.
DSWD Salary Grade
For “DSWD salary grade,” the core career track is the Social Welfare Officer series (SG 11 for Social Welfare Officer I, rising through SG 24 for senior supervisory roles), alongside Social Welfare Assistants at the SG 6–8 level who provide front-line program support.
DPWH Salary Grade
“DPWH salary grade” searches typically point to the Engineer series covered above — Engineer I at SG 12 through Engineer V at SG 24 — plus support roles like Engineering Aides and Draftsmen in the SG 6–10 range.
BIR Salary Grade
For “BIR salary grade,” most entry-level hires start as Revenue Collection Clerks (around SG 8) or Revenue Officer I, with the Revenue Officer series (I–IV) progressing up through the SG 20s for senior examiner and supervisory positions.
Whichever agency you’re applying to, once you know your specific position’s Salary Grade, plug it into the calculator above to get your exact monthly and annual pay.
Salary Grade vs. Position Title
One of the most common mix-ups is treating “Salary Grade” and “Position Title” as if they’re interchangeable — they’re not. The position title describes what you do; the Salary Grade describes how that position is compensated relative to every other position in government.
Here’s a general reference of how some common positions map to Salary Grades under the current schedule (always confirm the exact figure with your agency’s plantilla, since some positions can vary slightly by agency):
| Position | Typical Salary Grade |
|---|---|
| Administrative Aide I–IV | SG 1–4 |
| Administrative Assistant I | SG 7 |
| Administrative Assistant II | SG 8 |
| Teacher I | SG 11 |
| Accountant I / Teacher II | SG 12 |
| Nurse I | SG 15 |
| Engineer II / Nurse III | SG 18 |
| Division Chief / Senior Technical Positions | SG 22–24 |
Because two very different jobs — say, a Teacher I and a Social Welfare Officer I — can share the same Salary Grade, it’s the grade, not the job title, that determines the base pay. This is exactly why the calculator asks for Salary Grade and Step rather than job title.
Common Mistakes When Computing Salary Grade
Even with a calculator in hand, a few common errors can throw off your expectations:
- Using the wrong Step. Many first-time applicants assume Step 1 pay applies to everyone at that Salary Grade, forgetting that most tenured employees are already several steps higher — leading to inaccurate salary comparisons.
- Confusing Salary Grade with Position Title. As explained above, remember that the grade determines pay, not the job title alone — two positions can share a grade and pay the same base salary.
- Ignoring salary adjustments (tranches). Because the current schedule is being implemented in tranches from 2024 to 2027, using an old schedule (say, the First Tranche effective 2024) to estimate today’s pay will give you a noticeably lower — and outdated — number. The active schedule right now is the Third Tranche, effective January 1, 2026.
- Using outdated salary schedules. Salary schedules are periodically updated through DBM circulars and executive orders. Always check that the schedule you’re referencing (or the calculator you’re using) reflects the current tranche.
- Forgetting that this is base pay only. The monthly and annual figures from the calculator represent basic salary — they do not include PERA, RATA, hazard pay, mid-year and year-end bonuses, or other allowances, which can meaningfully increase total take-home compensation.
Related Salary Grade Resources
Want to dig deeper into a specific Salary Grade, or understand the bigger compensation picture? Check out these related guides:
- Government Salary Grade 2026: Complete Guide to the Philippine Salary Schedule
- Salary Standardization Law (SSL) Guide 2026 — Complete Explainer
- Government Jobs in the Philippines: Complete Job Search Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Salary Grade?
A Salary Grade is a numbered classification (1 to 33) used to standardize the base pay of civilian government positions in the Philippines. Positions with similar responsibility levels are grouped under the same Salary Grade, and each grade has its own fixed monthly salary schedule across eight steps.
How do I know my Salary Grade?
Your Salary Grade is usually printed on your appointment paper, Notice of Salary Adjustment, or payslip. Job applicants can also find the Salary Grade listed directly in most government job postings, often shown as “SG” followed by a number (e.g., SG 11).
What is the difference between Salary Grade and Step?
Salary Grade reflects your position’s level within the overall government pay structure, while Step reflects your progress within that same grade, based mainly on length of service. Moving up a Step increases your pay slightly without changing your position; moving up a Salary Grade (through promotion) results in a bigger pay increase and reflects a change in job level or responsibility.
Can I calculate my annual salary using the calculator?
Yes. Once you select your Salary Grade and Step, the calculator shows both your monthly basic salary and your projected annual basic salary (monthly salary × 12). Keep in mind this figure covers basic pay only and does not include bonuses or allowances.
Does the calculator use the latest salary schedule?
The calculator is built on the Third Tranche of Executive Order No. 64, s. 2024, per DBM National Budget Circular No. 601, effective January 1, 2026 — the current active government salary schedule. A fourth and final tranche is scheduled for 2027, and the tool will be updated once that schedule takes effect. We recommend confirming exact figures with your agency’s payroll or HR office for official payroll purposes.
What is the highest Salary Grade in the Philippines?
Salary Grade 33 is the highest grade under the standard government salary schedule, currently assigned to the President of the Philippines. Under the 2026 Third Tranche, SG 33 Step 1 sits at ₱449,157 per month.
Disclaimer: The salary figures in this article are based on the Third Tranche of the Updated Salary Schedule under Executive Order No. 64, s. 2024, as implemented through DBM National Budget Circular No. 601, effective January 1, 2026. Actual pay may vary depending on your specific agency, position, and any updated DBM issuances. This article is for general informational purposes and should not be treated as an official payroll computation — always verify with your HR/payroll office or the Department of Budget and Management for exact figures.