Master Teacher I Salary 2026 — Salary Grade 18 Monthly Pay
Master Teacher I salary 2026 — Step 1 to Step 8
Master Teacher I sits at Salary Grade 18. Every grade has 8 steps: you start at Step 1 and move up one step for every three years of satisfactory service, so a full grade takes about 21 years to climb without a promotion.
Across those steps a Master Teacher I gains ₱4,024/month, or 7.5% over the basic Step 1 rate.
| Position | Salary Grade | Step 1 | Step 8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher VII | SG 17 | ₱49,562 | ₱53,221 |
| Master Teacher I (this page) | SG 18 | ₱53,818 | ₱57,842 |
| Master Teacher II | SG 19 | ₱59,153 | ₱65,132 |
Third Tranche of the EO 64 salary schedule, effective 1 January 2026 (DBM NBC 601). A fourth and final tranche follows on 1 January 2027.
What lands in the bank on top of basic pay
The Salary Grade figure is basic pay only. Every public school teacher also receives PERA of ₱2,000/month, a mid-year bonus and a year-end bonus (one month's basic pay each; the year-end bonus is the government's 13th-month pay), a ₱5,000 cash gift, and a ₱10,000 yearly teaching allowance for classroom supplies (RA 11997).
On basic pay alone a Master Teacher I at Step 1 earns about ₱645,816 a year, before the bonuses above and before GSIS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG and withholding tax are deducted.
How Master Teacher I compares to the rank below and above
Most Master Teacher I teachers arrive from Teacher VII (SG 17, ₱49,562), which is ₱4,256/month less at Step 1.
Promotion to Master Teacher II moves you to SG 19, a jump of ₱5,335/month at Step 1 (9.9% more than Master Teacher I).
The exam that gets you onto this pay scale: the LET
Every DepEd teaching item from Teacher I up requires a PRC teaching license, which you get by passing the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) — a one-day exam with a 75% general average and no test below 50% to pass. PRC held it in March and September in 2026; the 2027 dates aren't announced yet.
Sources & Official References
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a Master Teacher 1 salary in 2026?
A Master Teacher I earns ₱53,818/month at Step 1 in 2026 under Salary Grade 18. With PERA of ₱2,000 added, monthly cash is about ₱55,818 before deductions.
What salary grade is Master Teacher I?
Master Teacher I is Salary Grade 18 on the civilian Salary Grade schedule. Under the 2026 third tranche of EO 64 that grade pays ₱53,818 at Step 1 and ₱57,842 at Step 8.
How much does a Master Teacher I make per year?
About ₱645,816 a year in basic pay at Step 1 (₱53,818 x 12), before the mid-year and year-end bonuses, the ₱5,000 cash gift and the ₱10,000 teaching allowance, and before deductions.
Will the Master Teacher 1 salary increase after 2026?
Yes. 2026 is the third of four tranches under Executive Order 64. The fourth and final tranche takes effect on 1 January 2027 and raises Master Teacher I (SG 18) Step 1 pay to ₱56,332 a month.
Related tools & guides
More in Salary & Pay
View allTeacher VII Salary 2026 — Salary Grade 17 Monthly Pay
A Teacher VII (Teacher 7) earns ₱49,562/month in 2026 at Step 1, Salary Grade 17, rising to ₱53,221 at Step 8. Full breakdown with PERA, bonuses and the next rank up.
Master Teacher II Salary 2026 — Salary Grade 19 Monthly Pay
A Master Teacher II (Master Teacher 2) earns ₱59,153/month in 2026 at Step 1, Salary Grade 19, rising to ₱65,132 at Step 8. Full breakdown with PERA, bonuses and the next rank up.
Public School Teacher Salary 2026 — Teacher I to Master Teacher V
A DepEd Teacher I earns ₱31,705/month in 2026 (SG 11, Step 1). Full public school teacher salary table to Master Teacher V (₱81,796), plus PERA, the ₱10,000 teaching allowance and bonuses.
Salary Grade Table 2026 Philippines — SG 1 to 33 (Third Tranche)
The complete 2026 Salary Grade table (SG 1–33) under EO 64's third tranche: Step 1 and Step 8 monthly pay for every grade, effective 1 January 2026, sourced from DBM NBC 601.
Teacher I Salary 2026 — Salary Grade 11 Monthly Pay
A Teacher I (Teacher 1) earns ₱31,705/month in 2026 at Step 1, Salary Grade 11, rising to ₱33,611 at Step 8. Full breakdown with PERA, bonuses and the next rank up.
Teacher II Salary 2026 — Salary Grade 12 Monthly Pay
A Teacher II (Teacher 2) earns ₱33,947/month in 2026 at Step 1, Salary Grade 12, rising to ₱35,850 at Step 8. Full breakdown with PERA, bonuses and the next rank up.