Salary Grade Table Philippines 2026 Explained: SG 1-33, Steps, and Tranches
Every government job posting says the same cryptic thing: "Salary Grade 11." Every appointment paper adds a "Step." And almost nobody hands new applicants the table that turns those codes into pesos. This is that explainer — with the verified 2026 figures.
Quick answer: The 2026 salary schedule (Third Tranche of Executive Order No. 64, per DBM NBC No. 601, effective January 1, 2026) runs from SG 1 at ₱14,634 to SG 33 at ₱449,157 monthly basic at Step 1. Each grade has 8 steps earned through service years, everyone gets ₱2,000 monthly PERA on top, and a fourth tranche increase arrives in 2027. Details below.
What "Salary Grade" and "Step" Actually Mean
Salary Grade (SG) is the position's rank on the national pay scale — set by the position, not the person. A Teacher I is SG 11 whether the teacher is 22 or 52 years old.
Step (1-8) is seniority within the grade: you are hired at Step 1 and advance one step per 3 years of continuous satisfactory service. Steps are why two employees with the same position title can have different basic pay.
Basic salary is what the table shows — the number GSIS contributions, tax, and loan amortizations are computed against. Allowances stack on top.
The 2026 Figures That Matter (Verified)
Key grades under the Third Tranche, monthly basic at Step 1 (with Step 8 maximum):
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 8 | Common positions |
|---|
|-------|--------|--------|------------------|
| SG 1 | ₱14,634 | — | entry utility/aide items |
| SG 11 | ₱31,705 | ₱33,611 | Teacher I, Administrative Officer II |
| SG 12 | ₱33,947 | ₱35,850 | Teacher II, professional items |
| SG 15 | ₱42,178 | ₱45,202 | Nurse I, professional/technical items |
| SG 18 | ₱53,818 | ₱57,842 | Master Teacher track, senior professionals |
| SG 25 | ~₱116,643 | — | division chief / attorney levels |
| SG 33 | ₱449,157 | — | President of the Philippines |
Two footnotes worth knowing:
- The nurse row has history: Nurse I was SG 11 until a Supreme Court ruling on the Nursing Act pushed it to SG 15 in 2020 — a six-year-old change that still surprises people
- Step values between 1 and 8 are not evenly spaced — the official DBM circular is the only accurate source for Steps 2-7
What Everyone Gets on Top of Basic
- PERA: ₱2,000/month for all grades
- 13th month pay and cash gift; mid-year bonus
- Medical allowance under EO 64 (annual)
- GSIS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG; leave credits (monetizable)
So a starting Teacher I's recurring monthly gross is about ₱33,705; a starting Nurse I's about ₱44,178 — before deductions.
Who Is Covered — and Who Is Not
The EO 64 table covers civilian government personnel: national agencies, LGUs, SUCs, the courts, constitutional bodies, and GOCCs without their own compensation laws.
Not covered: the uniformed services. PNP, AFP, BJMP, and BFP follow a separate Military and Uniformed Personnel base pay schedule, most recently raised 5% on January 1, 2026 under EO 107 (a Patrolman now earns ₱31,151 base). Comparing a police base pay against this table is comparing two different systems — a mistake half the salary articles online make. (Uniformed pay explained)
The Tranche Timeline
EO 64 is a four-year staircase:
- 2024 — first tranche (retroactive)
- 2025 — second tranche
- 2026 — third tranche (current figures above)
- 2027 — fourth and final tranche: one more increase already scheduled
If you are comparing a government offer against private today, remember the 2027 raise is already law.
How to Read a Job Posting With This Table
A posting says: "Administrative Officer II (SG 11), Step 1." Now you can decode it: ₱31,705 basic + ₱2,000 PERA ≈ ₱33,705 recurring gross, bonuses on top, step raises every 3 years, tranche raise in 2027. Check the posting's Qualification Standards (education, eligibility, training, experience) — and remember board passers already hold eligibility under RA 1080, while CSE Professional/SubProfessional passers qualify per level. (What each eligibility unlocks)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is SG 11 in 2026?
₱31,705 monthly basic at Step 1, rising to ₱33,611 at Step 8 — the Teacher I grade.
How much is SG 15 in 2026?
₱42,178 at Step 1 to ₱45,202 at Step 8 — the Nurse I grade.
How do I move up a step?
One step per 3 years of continuous satisfactory service within the same grade.
Is there another increase after 2026?
Yes — the fourth tranche under EO 64 takes effect in 2027.
Are police and soldiers on this table?
No. Uniformed personnel follow a separate base pay schedule under EO 107.
What is PERA?
The Personnel Economic Relief Allowance — ₱2,000 monthly paid to all covered government employees on top of basic salary.
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