2026 Teacher Salary Scale at a Glance: Starting Salary HK$35,780, Degree Teacher Top Pay HK$83,140, 2% Pay Rise | Full Breakdown of All Ranks

The Answer in One Sentence

The salaries of teachers at Hong Kong government and aided schools are determined under the civil service Master Pay Scale (MPS). For the 2026/27 year, civil service pay scales at all bands received a uniform 2% increase, backdated to take effect from 1 April 2026, with aided school staff adjusted in step. After the adjustment, newly recruited degree teachers start at MPS Point 15 with a monthly salary of HK$35,780; graduate teachers in secondary schools (GM) reach a top point of MPS Point 33 with a monthly salary of HK$83,140; and assistant primary school graduate teachers (APSM) reach a top point of MPS Point 29 with a monthly salary of HK$69,205.

How to Read the Teacher Salary Scale: An Introduction to the MPS System

Hong Kong’s teacher salary scale uses “salary points” as its unit, with each point corresponding to a specific monthly salary amount. Teachers are mapped to different salary point ranges according to their rank and years of service, and may move up one point each year until reaching the top point of their rank. The key to understanding the teacher salary scale is to grasp three sets of figures: which rank they belong to, which salary points they correspond to, and how much each salary point pays per month.

The table below shows the salary points relevant to teacher ranks from the Master Pay Scale published by the Civil Service Bureau (CSB), effective from 1 April 2026 (the old figures as at 31 March 2026 are shown in parentheses):

MPS Point	Monthly Salary from 1 April 2026	Pre-adjustment Monthly Salary
Point 14	HK$34,075	HK$33,405
Point 15	HK$35,780	HK$35,080
Point 20	HK$45,660	HK$44,765
Point 24	HK$55,060	HK$53,980
Point 29	HK$69,205	HK$67,850
Point 33	HK$83,140	HK$81,510
Point 34	HK$83,975	HK$82,330
Point 39	HK$99,525	HK$97,575
Point 41	HK$108,280	HK$106,155
Point 43	HK$117,805	HK$115,495
Point 46	HK$134,920	HK$132,275

Salary Point Ranges by Rank: Primary and Secondary Schools Viewed Separately

Aided school teacher ranks are divided into two sets, primary and secondary. The following is compiled in accordance with the Education Bureau’s (EDB) Salary Assessment Guide for Aided Schools:

Primary Schools (Degree Teacher Grade)

Assistant Primary School Graduate Teacher (APSM): MPS Points 15 to 29, with a salary bar at Point 20. 2026/27 monthly salary HK$35,780 to HK$69,205.
Primary School Graduate Teacher (PSM): MPS Points 30 to 33, monthly salary HK$72,430 to HK$83,140.
Senior Primary School Graduate Teacher (SPSM, deputy head level): MPS Points 34 to 39, monthly salary HK$83,975 to HK$99,525.
Primary School Principal: Second Grade Principal (HMII) MPS Points 40 to 43, First Grade Principal (HMI) MPS Points 43 to 46, monthly salary HK$103,810 to HK$134,920.

Secondary Schools (Degree Teacher Grade)

Graduate Teacher (GM): Enters at MPS Point 15, with a salary bar at Point 20, and a top point of MPS Point 33. 2026/27 monthly salary HK$35,780 to HK$83,140.
Senior Graduate Teacher (SGM): MPS Points 34 to 39, monthly salary HK$83,975 to HK$99,525.
Principal Graduate Teacher (PGM): MPS Points 38 to 41, monthly salary HK$95,120 to HK$108,280.

Diploma Teacher (CM): A non-degree rank, with a standard starting point of MPS Point 14 (HK$34,075), a bar at Point 19, and a top point of Point 24 (HK$55,060).

What Is the Starting Point? Salaries for Newly Recruited Teachers

Degree Teacher Starting Salary: Both newly recruited primary APSM and secondary GM teachers share the same starting point of MPS Point 15, with a 2026/27 monthly salary of HK$35,780. The starting point has been fixed at Point 15 since 1 October 2010.
Salary Bar: Both primary APSM and secondary GM teachers have a salary bar at MPS Point 20; teachers without recognised teacher training generally cannot pass the bar.
Diploma Teacher Starting Salary: MPS Point 14, monthly salary HK$34,075; where the teacher training received does not match the type of school taught at, the starting salary is generally one point lower.

What Is the Top Pay? The Salary Ceiling for Each Rank

Primary APSM Top Pay: MPS Point 29, monthly salary HK$69,205. To go higher, promotion to PSM is required (top point Point 33, HK$83,140).
Secondary GM Top Pay: MPS Point 33, monthly salary HK$83,140. To go higher, promotion to SGM is required.
SGM/SPSM Top Pay: MPS Point 39, monthly salary HK$99,525.
PGM Top Pay: MPS Point 41, monthly salary HK$108,280.
Primary First Grade Principal Top Pay: MPS Point 46, monthly salary HK$134,920.

Salary Scale Comparison: Primary vs Secondary Teachers

Same Starting Point: Both newly recruited primary and secondary degree teachers start at MPS Point 15 (HK$35,780).
Different Top Pay for Basic Ranks: The primary APSM tops out at Point 29 (HK$69,205), while the secondary GM tops out at Point 33 (HK$83,140). For a primary teacher to reach above Point 30, promotion to PSM is required.
Promoted Rank Salary Points: The secondary SGM and primary SPSM both cover Points 34 to 39; secondary schools additionally have the PGM (Points 38 to 41).
Special School Teachers: Calculated according to the corresponding primary or secondary rank and pay scale, with some posts carrying additional allowances.

How Much Is the 2026 Pay Rise? Details of the Teacher Salary Adjustment

Pay Rise Magnitude: On 16 June 2026, the Chief Executive in Council decided a uniform 2% pay rise for the 2026/27 year across the civil service high, middle and low pay bands and the directorate pay scale. Education Bureau Circular No. 94/2026 confirms that the salary point amounts for teachers in aided schools paid under the civil service pay scale were raised by 2% in step.
Degree Teacher Pay Rise Examples: MPS Point 15 rose from HK$35,080 to HK$35,780 (HK$700 more per month); Point 24 rose from HK$53,980 to HK$55,060 (HK$1,080 more); Point 33 rose from HK$81,510 to HK$83,140 (HK$1,630 more).
Senior Rank Pay Rise Examples: MPS Point 34 rose from HK$82,330 to HK$83,975 (HK$1,645 more); Point 39 rose from HK$97,575 to HK$99,525 (HK$1,950 more).
Effective Date: Backdated to take effect from 1 April 2026. The new salaries for aided school staff, together with the back-pay, were disbursed in July 2026.

FAQ

Q1: How do I read the teacher salary scale? How do I know which salary point I correspond to?

The teacher salary scale uses MPS points as its basic unit. Newly recruited teachers are assigned a starting point based on their academic qualifications, teacher training and post (degree teachers at MPS Point 15), then move up one point each year until they reach the top point or the bar of their rank. After promotion, the salary point range of the new rank applies. The actual salary point is determined by the school in accordance with Education Bureau guidelines.

Q2: What is the starting point? Does it differ by academic qualification?

Newly recruited primary APSM and secondary GM teachers start at MPS Point 15 (2026/27 monthly salary HK$35,780). A salary bar is set at Point 20, and those without recognised teacher training generally cannot pass it. The Diploma Teacher (CM) standard starting point is Point 14 (HK$34,075).

Q3: What is the top pay? How long does it take to reach the top?

The secondary GM top pay is MPS Point 33 (HK$83,140); starting from Point 15 and adding one point per year, it takes about 18 years to reach the top. The primary APSM top pay is Point 29 (HK$69,205), reached in about 14 years; after that, promotion to PSM is required to rise to Point 33.

Q4: How much is the 2026 pay rise? When does it officially take effect?

For the 2026/27 year, civil service pay rose uniformly by 2%, backdated to take effect from 1 April 2026. The new salaries and back-pay for aided school staff were disbursed in July 2026.

Q5: Are secondary school teachers paid more than primary school teachers?

The starting points are the same (both at MPS Point 15). The difference lies in the top pay of the basic ranks: the secondary GM can rise to Point 33, while the primary APSM reaches Point 29, and a primary teacher needs promotion to PSM to reach Point 33. Long-term earnings depend on promotion opportunities.

Q6: How do international school teacher salaries differ from those at government and aided schools?

International schools and private schools set their own salaries, which do not follow the civil service pay scale and vary considerably; individual school employment contracts should be taken as the basis. Direct Subsidy Scheme schools may set their own salaries, but many adjust them by reference to the civil service pay scale.