If applying special salary coefficient, what will the teacher salary table be like from January 1, 2026?

The story of teachers' salaries and special salary coefficients for teachers is attracting public attention. If from January 1, 2026, teachers receive a 'special salary coefficient', what will the salary table for teachers in public preschools, primary schools, middle schools, and high schools be like?

The Ministry of Education and Training has published a draft Decree regulating salary and allowance policies for teachers to solicit public comments from relevant agencies, organizations and individuals on the Ministry of Education and Training's Electronic Information Portal. According to the draft Decree, all teachers will enjoy a special salary coefficient, effective from January 1, 2026.

What is the new salary calculation formula for teachers, if applying a special salary coefficient?

According to the draft Decree, the special salary coefficient is calculated with the salary level and is not used to calculate the allowance level. The formula for calculating the salary level for teachers when applying the special salary coefficient is as follows:

Salary effective from January 1, 2026 = Basic salary (VND 2,340,000) x Current salary coefficient x Specific salary coefficient

According to the draft, preschool teachers are entitled to a special salary coefficient of 1.25 compared to the current salary coefficient; other teaching positions are entitled to a special salary coefficient of 1.15 compared to the current salary coefficient.

Teachers teaching at schools and classes for the disabled, centers supporting the development of inclusive education ; primary and secondary boarding schools in land border areas are entitled to a special salary coefficient of 1.2 compared to the current salary coefficient.

Teachers teaching at schools, classes for the disabled, and centers supporting the development of inclusive education for preschool children are entitled to a special salary coefficient of 1.3 compared to the current salary coefficient.

Based on the current salary coefficient and the specific salary coefficient in the draft, as well as the above salary calculation formula, below is the salary table for preschool teachers, primary, secondary and high school teachers from January 1, 2026. This salary table does not include teachers' allowances of all kinds (seniority allowance, position allowance if any, job incentive allowance...):

Preschool teacher salary if applied with special salary coefficient 1.25 from January 1, 2026, excluding allowances of all kinds

PHOTO: THUY HANG

Primary, secondary and high school teachers' salaries, if applied with a special salary coefficient of 1.15 from January 1, 2026, excluding allowances of all kinds

PHOTO: THUY HANG

Readers debate about the special salary coefficient for teachers: Some support it, others think it is unfair.

In recent days, Thanh Nien Newspaper has received many opinions on the story of teachers' salaries and special salary coefficients for teachers.

Reader Hai Vo said: "Education and healthcare are two special fields that are always respected and given high salaries by countries around the world, but in our country, the basic salary is the same. Why do you think so many people quit their jobs to find other ways to make a living?"

On the contrary, reader Hac Lao shared his opinion: "Many people do not know that teachers have seniority allowances, professional allowances (for teaching), allowances for team leaders and deputy team leaders, so they think that teachers' salaries are low. In fact, if the total income is higher, teachers are higher than other civil servants and public employees such as administrative officials, without seniority allowances or professional preferential allowances."

Regulus account shared: "Teachers also have other types of money from allowances, seniority, teaching hours... Looking at the medical industry, especially the reserve system, there is only salary and allowances (depending on the subject, not everyone has it) but the work is not small."

Reader Trong Nguyen Huu confided: "I think we have to compare it in the general context with our army and especially with the medical industry because teachers in the pedagogical industry are exempted from all training costs, but in the medical industry, we have to study for a very long time and the input is also selective. The study time is twice as long as in the education industry, but our salary is much lower than in the education industry. It cannot be said that the pressure in the education industry is greater than in the medical industry. If we are just a little careless, it will affect the patient's life...".

Teacher at a secondary school in Ho Chi Minh City

PHOTO: INDEPENDENCE

"Of course all comparisons are lame, but after 35 years in the army, my salary is only equal to that of a teacher with 35 years of teaching experience. Even my total salary is lower, even though I have the rank of lieutenant colonel. I only have 35 years of seniority, just like teachers with 35 years of teaching experience. In addition, they also receive 30% of their teaching experience, making up 65% of their allowance. Meanwhile, our position allowance is also very low, only one to two percent of the basic salary. Considering the reality, it is clear that teachers' salaries are much higher than those of the army and police, even though we have to do many extremely important tasks. We are far from our families, we can go to the border and islands, or we can go to places where our lives are in danger. We are far from our families all the time, and our family's work is almost never at home...", reader Trong Nguyen Huu confided.

Account Hj analyzed: "Many developed countries consider education as a top national policy, and invest heavily in education. Teachers' salaries must reach a fairly high level in society to attract talented people who are passionate about teaching. Good teachers help good students, and the country will develop. However, currently, the quality of teachers is uneven. There was a period when the initial level of education was very low compared to other fields. Now that teacher is paid a higher salary, many people find it unconvincing."

"Therefore, new standards for teachers should be established in a higher direction before increasing salaries. For example, English teachers must meet international standards to receive the new salary, those who do not meet them will receive a lower salary, not increase salaries equally as at present, the older the person, the higher the salary. It is necessary to pay salaries according to job positions soon. Implement salary increases simultaneously for all civil servants and public employees at the appropriate time, do not separate teachers to increase separately, it is easy to get negative reactions", a reader using the account name Hj wrote.

"We school staff feel sorry for ourselves"

A reader named Luyen shared with the editorial office: "We school staff feel very hurt when the policies, regulations, and drafts do not mention the word "staff". We are also dedicated, devoted, and important links in contributing to the completion of teachers' tasks in teaching and the school's tasks. We are also individuals like everyone else, we also have to take care of ourselves, our families, and our children. We also need to live on our salaries. But all policies and regulations are left open. So what is a school staff in the education sector? When we also work in the sector but are not cared for by the sector, we staff feel extremely hurt. We respectfully hope that the ministries and sectors will pay more attention to the staff."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/neu-ap-dung-he-so-luong-dac-thu-bang-luong-nha-giao-the-nao-tu-112026-185251116002803785.htm