Salary Grades in the Philippines: Easy Guide for Everyone
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In the Philippines, government pay is based on a structured system called salary grades. The salary grade 2023 for government employees shows how salaries are divided into levels, making sure every worker—from entry-level staff to top officials—receives fair and transparent pay.
What Is a Salary Grade?
A salary grade (SG) is the number that represents the pay level of a government position. There are 33 salary grades in total:
SG 1 – The lowest grade, usually for entry-level jobs such as utility workers or clerks.
SG 33 – The highest grade, assigned only to the President of the Philippines.
The higher the grade, the higher the pay, since more responsibility comes with the role.
How Salary Steps Work
Salary grades are not the only factor in government pay. Each grade also has steps that show how salaries increase with years of service.
Most grades have eight steps.
A worker usually begins at Step 1.
Every three years of continuous service, employees may move up one step.
Each step adds a salary increase, rewarding loyalty and experience. The only exception is SG 33, which has just two steps.
Sample Salaries
Here are some examples of monthly salaries from the 2023 pay schedule:
SG 1 Step 1: ₱13,000
SG 10 Step 1: ₱23,176
SG 20 Step 1: ₱57,347
SG 33 Step 2: ₱431,718
These figures show how wide the salary range can be. A higher grade and step mean a much larger monthly income.
Who Gets Each Salary Grade?
Every government position has a corresponding salary grade:
SG 33 – President of the Philippines
SG 32 – Vice President, Senate President, Chief Justice, and Speaker of the House
SG 31 and below – Senators, Department Secretaries, Justices, and other top officials
Other grades cover teachers, nurses, clerks, engineers, police officers, and more, depending on qualifications and duties.
Four Groups of Employees
To make the system easier, jobs are divided into categories:
Professional Supervisory (SG 9–33) – Leaders such as school principals, chiefs, and directors.
Professional Non-Supervisory (SG 8–30) – Professionals with degrees who don’t supervise others.
Sub-Professional Supervisory (SG 4–18) – Supervisors who manage clerical or technical staff.
Sub-Professional Non-Supervisory (SG 1–10) – Support roles like aides, drivers, or utility workers.
This grouping helps ensure fair pay across all types of government work.
What’s New Under SSL VI
To improve salaries further, the government introduced the Salary Standardization Law VI (SSL VI). It provides increases and benefits over four years:
1st tranche – Effective January 1, 2024 (retroactive)
2nd tranche – Effective January 1, 2025
3rd tranche – Effective January 1, 2026
4th tranche – Effective January 1, 2027
Medical allowance – ₱7,000 yearly per worker, starting in 2025
This means continuous improvements in pay and benefits for government employees.
Why Salary Grades Are Important
The system may look complicated, but it plays an important role for workers and the public:
Fairness – Everyone in the same grade and step earns the same salary.
Transparency – Employees know how much they should receive.
Growth – Step increases reward years of service.
Motivation – Promotions to higher grades lead to bigger pay.
For job seekers, knowing the salary grade helps set expectations. For workers, it provides a roadmap for career progress.
FAQs About Salary Grades
How many salary grades are there?
There are 33 grades.How many steps are in each grade?
Eight steps for most grades, but SG 33 has two.Who earns the highest salary?
The President under SG 33.When do increases happen?
Step increases every three years, plus bigger raises under SSL tranches.Do LGUs (local governments) follow this system?
Yes, but actual pay depends on the classification of the city or municipality.Final Thoughts
The salary grade system is the backbone of government pay in the Philippines. It ensures that salaries are fair, organized, and transparent. From the lowest entry-level staff to the highest officials, everyone is placed in a clear structure that reflects responsibility and service.
With SSL VI already in place, government employees will enjoy steady salary growth and added benefits like medical allowances. This shows the government’s effort to support its workers while maintaining fairness across the system.
In short, salary grades are more than numbers on a table—they represent stability, fairness, and recognition for the thousands of people serving the country every day.