How teacher salaries in Botswana compare with South Africa

Teachers in South Africa and Botswana earn different salaries, with qualifications, experience and job grades playing an important role in determining their monthly earnings.

The two neighbouring countries have different public-sector salary structures, but advertised salary scales provide an interesting comparison of what educators can earn.

South Africa’s 2026 teacher salary scales show that educators’ earnings vary significantly depending on their qualifications and experience.

According to salary information published by BusinessTech, the lowest salary notch is R169,707 annually, equivalent to approximately R14 142 per month.

However, qualified teachers with a Relative Education Qualification Value (REQV) of 14 to 17 start at R366 051 annually, translating to approximately R30 504 per month.

Experienced teachers in this category can earn up to R794 151 annually, or about R66 179 per month.

How much do teachers earn in Botswana?

In Botswana, advertised temporary teaching positions provide an indication of salaries available to educators entering the public education system.

A recent recruitment notice for temporary primary and secondary school teachers listed salaries between P108 444 and P123 420 annually for the C4 grade.

This translates to monthly earnings of approximately P9 037 to P10 285.

Teachers appointed under the C3 grade can earn between P127 092 and P150 852 annually, equivalent to approximately P10 591 to P12 571 per month.

Using an indicative exchange rate of P1 to R1.163 on 3 November 2026, the C4 salary range translates to approximately R126 114 to R143 540 annually.

The C3 range is equivalent to approximately R147 808 to R175 441 annually.

South Africa vs Botswana: Who pays teachers more?

The available figures suggest that qualified South African teachers earn more than those advertised in Botswana’s temporary teaching recruitment notice.

For instance, a South African teacher starting in the REQV 14–17 category earns approximately R30 504 monthly, compared with about R14 617 for a Botswana C3 teacher at the bottom of the advertised salary range.

However, the comparison is not a direct like-for-like assessment because the two countries use different grading systems, and the Botswana figures relate specifically to temporary appointments.

Teachers’ actual earnings also depend on qualifications, years of service, responsibilities and applicable benefits.