The Ministry of Education and Training has just issued Circular 31/2026/TT-BGDĐT, unifying the appointment of titles and salary ranking for all teachers in the public education system. A noteworthy point is that the salary ranking mechanism is standardized according to title ranks, applied uniformly nationwide.
Salary ranking by professional title rank
According to new regulations, teachers appointed to which position will be ranked in salary corresponding to that rank. The title system is divided into 3 main ranks (I, II, III) for teachers at all levels; college and university lecturers include lecturers, principal lecturers and senior lecturers.
The entire salary ranking continues to be based on the salary scale in Decree 204/2004/ND-CP. In which:
Kindergarten teachers:
Grade III: A0 (2.10 – 4.89)
Grade II: A1 (2.34 – 4.98)
Grade I: A2. 2 (4.00 – 6.38)
Primary, secondary, and high school teachers:
Grade III: A1 (2.34 – 4.98)
Grade II: A2. 2 (4.00 – 6.38)
Grade I: A2. 1 (4.40 – 6.78).
Vocational education (primary, intermediate): There is differentiation by level (college, university)
The highest is up to A3. 2 (5.75 – 7.55) with grade I teachers.
College and university lecturers:
A1 (2.34 – 4.98)
Lead lecturer: A2. 1 (4.40 – 6.78)
Senior Lecturer: A3. 1 (6.20 – 8.00).
The new regulation does not immediately change the salary level, but maintains the coefficient according to each civil servant rank group.
Teachers who want to be appointed or promoted must meet the standards of the corresponding title. Salary ranking is directly linked to the job position and professional capacity, instead of just relying on seniority.
Transfer and stack in an inherited direction, without causing disruption
Teachers who are holding the rank will be appointed to the corresponding rank according to the new code, while maintaining the salary coefficient. This regulation helps avoid the situation of "ranking down" or income reduction when applying the new policy.
For intermediate, college, and university teachers, salary ranking has differentiation according to training level (college, university, postgraduate) and title rank, creating room to increase income for high-level groups.
There is a transition roadmap for teachers who do not meet standards
Teachers who do not meet the qualification standards will still retain their current titles and salary coefficients; when the conditions are completed, they will be appointed and ranked according to new regulations. Some cases that are not eligible for upgrading are kept until retirement.
Foundation for salary reform
The Circular also clearly states that when implementing the new salary policy, the transfer will be carried out according to the Government's regulations. This shows that this standardization is a preparation step for deeper reforms in the future.
