Looking back at 7 teacher salary increases in the past 10 years

(Dan Tri) - In the 10 years 2015-2025, primary school teachers have the highest salary increase.

In 10 years, teachers' salaries increased nearly 3 times

In 2015, teachers from kindergarten to high school were ranked in salary according to 4 Joint Circulars No. 20-23 of the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Home Affairs on regulations on codes and standards for professional titles of teachers.

Accordingly, preschool and primary school teachers are ranked with salaries ranging from coefficients 1.86 to 4.98.

Secondary school teachers are ranked from coefficient 2.1 to 6.38. High school teachers are ranked from coefficient 2.34 to 6.78.

At this time, the basic salary is 1.15 million VND/month, applied according to Decree 66 of 2013.

By February 2021, Circular 01-04 of the Ministry of Education and Training had set new salaries for teachers. In 10 years, this was the only time preschool and primary school teachers had their salaries increased thanks to the new salary levels.

The reason is that when the 2019 Education Law was issued, the standard qualification for preschool teachers was determined to be college; the standard qualification for primary, secondary and high school teachers was university.

This upgrading of training standards is the basis for increasing the starting salary coefficient of preschool teachers from 1.86 to 2.1, primary school teachers from 1.86 to 2.34 and secondary school teachers from 2.10 to 2.34.

Thus, teachers' salaries increased thanks to the increase in basic salary, the level applied to all workers.

Specifically, from 2015 to now, the basic salary has increased 6 times, from 1.15 million VND/month to 2.34 million VND/month (applied from July 2024).

Comparing the levels of education, primary school teachers have the highest salary increase. 10 years ago, the highest primary school teacher salary was only 5.7 million VND/month. Currently, the highest is 15.8 million VND/month, an increase of nearly 3 times.

Meanwhile, high school teachers have had the least salary increase. In 2015, the highest salary a high school teacher received was 7.3 million VND/month, but now the highest salary is equal to that of primary and secondary school teachers, which is 15.8 million VND/month.

This salary does not include allowances.

(Table: Hoang Hong)

What will teacher salaries be like from 2026?

Recently, the Ministry of Education and Training has sought comments on a draft new Circular regulating teacher codes, appointments and salary arrangements. The draft Circular divides teachers at each level into three groups: teachers, main teachers and senior teachers, equivalent to the current grade III, II and I teachers.

In which, senior teachers (grade I) are assigned a very high new salary coefficient, from 5.75 to 7.55. The remaining group of teachers keep the same salary coefficient.

In addition, unqualified teachers at preschool and primary levels are ranked with a salary coefficient of 1.86 to a maximum of 4.06.

In addition to the new salary classification, teachers also have a special coefficient. In the draft Decree regulating salary policy, allowance regime, and support policy to attract teachers, the Ministry proposed a "special coefficient" for each subject, the lowest being 1.1 for senior high school teachers and the highest being 1.6 for unqualified teachers.

Along with that, the salary calculation formula has changed. Previously, teachers' salaries were equal to the base salary multiplied by the coefficient, but in the near future, the new calculation method will increase the income advantage for teachers.

In the above draft Decree, the new calculation method is stipulated as follows:

Salary = (Salary coefficient + position allowance coefficient + seniority allowance exceeding the framework + reserve difference if any) x Basic salary x Special salary coefficient.

Assuming the basic salary in 2026 remains at VND2.34 million/month and the proposals in the previous draft remain unchanged, the estimated salary of teachers excluding position and seniority allowances... could exceed VND21 million/month, about VND6 million/month higher than the current highest level.

The provisional teacher salary table is for reference only when applying the new salary classification method and expected specific coefficients.

The above figures do not include vocational incentives. Resolution 71 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in education and training development has increased vocational incentives for teachers, school staff and education officials from 25-50% to 70-100%, depending on the subject and region.

The preferential allowance for teachers has been implemented for the past 20 years without any change according to Decision 244 of 2005 of the Prime Minister, guided by Joint Circular No. 01 of 2006 of the Ministry of Education and Training - Ministry of Home Affairs - Ministry of Finance.

At the National Conference to disseminate and implement the 4 Resolutions of the Politburo, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that in 2025, a roadmap will be developed and policies on salary and allowance regimes for teachers, managers and employees in the education sector will be immediately implemented.

Currently, the country has 1.05 million public preschool and primary school teachers. The upcoming implementation of the new salary and allowance regime for teachers is the biggest breakthrough in teacher salaries in at least the past two decades.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/nhin-lai-7-lan-tang-luong-cua-giao-vien-trong-10-nam-qua-20250920021248583.htm