Ranks and salary of newly recruited teachers in Ghana Education Service – 2025

Over the past several months, Coleman Publications has received a flood of inquiries from teachers awaiting recruitment, teacher trainees, and the general public regarding the salary structure for degree-holding professionals entering the Ghana Education Service (GES).

This article sets out to demystify the grading structure and earnings expectations for newly appointed teachers, based on verified payroll breakdowns and the GES rank scheme.

What Is the Starting Rank?

Newly recruited professional teachers holding a degree enter the Ghana Education Service at the rank of Principal Superintendent – 16.1H.

This falls within the High-level bracket (“H”) of the GES teaching staff grading framework, positioning new entrants among respected education professionals whose career trajectory begins at Level 16.

Salary Breakdown for New Degree Teachers

Below is a comprehensive snapshot of the monthly salary structure for new entrants at the Principal Superintendent level:

Salary Component	Amount (GHS)
Basic Monthly Salary	₵4,151.22
15% Market Premium	₵622.68
Gross Income	₵4,773.90
Social Security (5.5%)	₵228.32
Taxable Income	₵4,545.54
Income Tax	₵734.90
Net Take-Home Pay	₵3,810.69

Annually, a newly recruited degree teacher can expect a base salary of approximately ₵49,814.65, exclusive of potential allowances or statutory deductions not listed above.

Understanding the GES Grading Structure

GES operates a detailed grading system that categorises teaching and administrative roles from Level 8 (for trainee teachers and instructors) to Level 25 (Director General).

Each level is designated by rank title, level number, and an “H” or “L” classification, which reflects the hierarchy of professional versus non-professional status.

Here’s a simplified view of some notable ranks and levels for reference:

Level	Job Title / Description	Status
25	Director General	H
24	Deputy Director General	H
23	Director I	H
22	Director II / Principal	H / L
21	Deputy Director (SHS Head, Vice Principal, Basic Head, etc.)	H / L
20	Assistant Director I (SHS Head, Unit Head, Senior Housemaster, etc.)	H / L
19	Assistant Director I (District Head, Basic Grade)	H / L
18	Assistant Director II	H / L
17	Principal Superintendent	H
16	Principal Superintendent (Professional / Non-Prof.)	H / L
15	Senior Superintendent I	H / L
14	Senior Superintendent II / Supervisor Instructor	H / L
13	Superintendent I / Principal Tech Instructor	H / L
12	Superintendent II / Tech Instructor I & II	H / L
8	Craft / Senior Craft / Pupil / Trainee Teachers	H / L

The “H” in level designation stands for “High,” indicating a professional-level role with specific qualifications.

“L” stands for “Low,” often associated with non-professional or support-level roles.

What This Means for New Teachers

Starting at Level 16.1H offers a decent salary base and a clear path for growth within GES.

Promotions follow years of service, performance evaluations, and the pursuit of further qualifications.

More importantly, the clarity in salary structure is to empower educators to better plan financially, advocate for equity, and understand how their efforts are recognised by the education system.

Coleman Publications will continue to provide in-depth reports and updates to help you navigate your careers with clarity.

For questions, feedback, or further clarification, feel free to reach out to our editorial team using the comment section.

2025 Salary Structure of the Ghana Education Service