How much do teachers earn in Greece? Teacher salaries in Greece depend on the type of school, teaching position, recognized experience, qualifications, employment status and salary step. Public-school teachers are generally paid according to the national public-sector salary framework rather than a city-specific salary scale.
For teachers classified in the PE (University Education) category, the 2026 public-sector salary scale contains 19 salary steps. From 1 April 2026, the basic gross monthly salary ranges from €1,232 at salary step MK1 to €2,294 at MK19.
The 2026 public-sector PE salary scale used for many qualified teachers starts at approximately €1,232 gross per month.
At the highest regular PE salary step, MK19, the basic salary reaches approximately €2,294 gross per month.
That corresponds to approximately €14,784 to €27,528 gross per year when the monthly basic salary is multiplied by 12. Actual annual compensation can differ because of allowances, responsibilities, family-related benefits, deductions and other employment factors.
The figures on this page are basic gross salary figures. Gross salary is not the same as take-home pay, and individual teachers may receive different amounts after taxes, social-security contributions and applicable allowances.
Greece uses a national public-sector salary system based on Μισθολογικά Κλιμάκια (ΜΚ), or salary steps. For employees in the PE category, progression is linked primarily to recognized service.
The 2026 PE salary scale below applies from 1 April 2026. Teachers in the public education system who fall under the relevant PE category can therefore use this table as a useful starting point when estimating their basic gross salary.
| Salary Step | Recognized Service | Basic Gross Monthly Salary | Approx. Basic Gross Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| MK1 | 0–2 years | €1,232 | €14,784 |
| MK2 | 2–4 years | €1,291 | €15,492 |
| MK3 | 4–6 years | €1,350 | €16,200 |
| MK4 | 6–8 years | €1,409 | €16,908 |
| MK5 | 8–10 years | €1,468 | €17,616 |
| MK6 | 10–12 years | €1,527 | €18,324 |
| MK7 | 12–14 years | €1,586 | €19,032 |
| MK8 | 14–16 years | €1,645 | €19,740 |
| MK9 | 16–18 years | €1,704 | €20,448 |
| MK10 | 18–20 years | €1,763 | €21,156 |
| MK11 | 20–22 years | €1,822 | €21,864 |
| MK12 | 22–24 years | €1,881 | €22,572 |
| MK13 | 24–26 years | €1,940 | €23,280 |
| MK14 | 26–28 years | €1,999 | €23,988 |
| MK15 | 28–30 years | €2,058 | €24,696 |
| MK16 | 30–32 years | €2,117 | €25,404 |
| MK17 | 32–34 years | €2,176 | €26,112 |
| MK18 | 34–36 years | €2,235 | €26,820 |
| MK19 | 36+ years | €2,294 | €27,528 |
The annual figures above are simple calculations of the monthly basic salary × 12. They are not estimates of net income or total compensation.
Unlike Switzerland, where cantons can have their own public-school salary structures, Greece has a national public-sector salary framework. Qualified public-school teachers are generally classified within the applicable education category and progress through salary steps according to recognized service and the rules governing public employees.
The Greek Ministry of Education distinguishes between permanent teachers, substitute teachers, candidates for appointment and educational staff in primary and secondary education. It also has separate structures for special education and educational leadership positions.
PE means Panepistimiakis Ekpaidefsis, or University Education. Many teachers with university-level teaching qualifications fall into this category.
The PE salary table is therefore particularly useful when researching public-school teacher salaries in Greece.
The PE salary scale is a public-sector basic salary scale. It should not be interpreted as a guaranteed final take-home salary for every teacher. Allowances, deductions, employment status, recognized service and the specific position can change the amount actually received.
Primary-school teachers in Greece work within the country's primary education system. Public primary teachers who are classified in the relevant PE category are generally paid according to the national public-sector salary framework.
A newly appointed teacher at the first PE salary step has a basic gross salary of approximately €1,232 per month from April 2026. As recognized service increases, the teacher can progress through the salary steps.
The salary does not automatically become higher simply because the teacher works in Athens, Thessaloniki or another large city. The national salary framework is the key reference for public-school basic pay.
See also: Primary Teacher Salary in Greece
Secondary education in Greece includes lower secondary and upper secondary education. Teachers are assigned according to their subject specialization and the applicable employment and appointment rules.
For public-school teachers in the relevant PE category, the same national salary framework provides the basic salary progression. A teacher's subject does not automatically create a completely separate national basic salary table.
For example, a PE teacher at MK1 has a basic gross salary of approximately €1,232 per month, while MK19 reaches approximately €2,294 per month.
See: Secondary Teacher Salary in Greece
Kindergarten education is an important part of the Greek primary education structure. The Ministry of Education maintains dedicated information and teaching guidance for νηπιαγωγεία (kindergartens).
Qualified public kindergarten teachers should not be assumed to have a completely separate national salary scale simply because they work with younger children. The applicable education category, recognized service and employment status are important when determining salary.
For a teacher in the relevant PE category, the 2026 basic salary scale begins at €1,232 gross per month.
See: Kindergarten Teacher Salary in Greece
Special education is a separate and important area of the Greek education system. The Ministry of Education has dedicated structures for special education and educational support personnel.
Special education teachers should check the exact position, qualification requirements, appointment category and any applicable allowances before estimating their total salary. The basic salary framework can be supplemented or affected by the particular role and employment conditions.
See: Special Education Teacher Salary in Greece
Experience is one of the most important factors in the Greek public-sector salary system. The PE scale has 19 salary steps, with the normal progression covering approximately two years per step during the earlier and middle stages.
| Career Stage | Typical Salary Step | Basic Gross Monthly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New Teacher | MK1 | €1,232 |
| 2–4 Years | MK2 | €1,291 |
| 4–6 Years | MK3 | €1,350 |
| 8–10 Years | MK5 | €1,468 |
| 10–12 Years | MK6 | €1,527 |
| 16–18 Years | MK9 | €1,704 |
| 20–22 Years | MK11 | €1,822 |
| 28–30 Years | MK15 | €2,058 |
| 34–36 Years | MK18 | €2,235 |
| 36+ Years | MK19 | €2,294 |
Teachers moving between employers or countries should pay close attention to the rules for recognizing previous service.
The salary step is not simply determined by the number of years that appear on a CV. The competent authority must determine which previous service can be recognized under the applicable Greek rules.
This is particularly important for teachers arriving from another country. A teacher with ten years of overseas experience should not automatically assume that all ten years will immediately result in ten years of recognized Greek public-sector service.
Keep official employment certificates, teaching-service records, diplomas and other supporting documents. Recognition of previous service and qualifications can affect both eligibility and salary placement.
Teaching in Greece is generally associated with a structured public-sector career path, but the basic salary should be considered alongside working conditions, employment security, location and possible allowances.
The entry-level PE basic salary from April 2026 is approximately €1,232 gross per month. At the top regular PE step, the basic salary is approximately €2,294 gross per month.
Actual take-home pay is lower after tax and social-security deductions.
Greek teacher salaries are commonly quoted as monthly gross salaries. The public-sector PE scale from April 2026 provides the following broad range:
A gross salary is the amount before income tax and employee contributions. Your actual net salary depends on tax circumstances, social-security deductions, family situation, allowances and other factors. Online net salary figures should therefore be treated as estimates rather than official payroll calculations.
The Greek public-sector salary figures should not be treated in the same way as Swiss salary tables that explicitly include a 13th monthly salary.
For the basic public-sector salary figures shown on this page, the annual equivalent is calculated as the monthly basic salary multiplied by 12.
Additional benefits or allowances should be checked separately rather than adding an automatic 13th salary to the figures above.
Teachers can work under different employment arrangements depending on the school, position and recruitment system.
A teacher working fewer hours or at a reduced employment percentage should not expect the same total compensation as a full-time teacher in an equivalent position.
For substitute teachers and private-sector teachers, the contractual arrangement can also affect total compensation.
The Greek education system employs both permanent teachers and substitute (αναπληρωτές) teachers.
The Ministry of Education publishes separate information for permanent appointments, substitute recruitment and teacher candidates.
| Teacher Status | General Situation |
|---|---|
| Permanent Teacher | Appointed to a permanent public-school position and generally covered by the applicable public-sector employment and salary framework. |
| Substitute Teacher | Employed to cover educational needs according to the relevant recruitment process and contract. |
| Private-School Teacher | Employed by a private educational institution under the applicable private-school rules and employment contract. |
| International-School Teacher | Salary and benefits are normally determined by the individual school and employment contract. |
Yes. Foreign teachers can work in Greece, but the requirements depend on the school, position, nationality, qualifications and type of teaching role.
Teachers who obtained professional qualifications in another EU country should check whether the particular profession or teaching activity is regulated and whether professional qualification recognition is required.
For teachers working in the Greek public-school system, Greek is generally extremely important because teaching, administration, communication with parents and interaction with pupils take place within the Greek education system.
The exact language requirements depend on the position and recruitment route.
International schools and some private educational institutions may use English or another curriculum language, so their language requirements can be different.
Being a native English speaker does not automatically qualify someone for a public-school teaching position in Greece. Teaching qualifications, professional recognition, language requirements and the specific recruitment rules must all be considered.
Teachers who qualified outside Greece should determine whether their qualification needs to be recognized before applying for a regulated teaching position.
Under EU professional-qualification rules, regulated professions can require formal recognition in the destination country. The appropriate process depends on the profession, the qualification and the applicant's circumstances.
Teachers should therefore distinguish between:
Do not assume that a foreign teaching degree automatically provides the same professional status as a Greek teaching qualification.
Foreign teachers can find opportunities in several parts of the Greek education market. The largest opportunity depends heavily on qualifications, language ability and curriculum experience.
International schools operate differently from the national public-school salary system. There is no single Greece-wide international-school teacher salary scale equivalent to the public PE table.
Salary can depend on:
Teachers should compare the complete employment package rather than looking only at the headline annual salary.
See: International School Teacher Salary in Greece
English teaching is an important part of the private education and language-school market in Greece.
However, English teacher salaries can vary considerably depending on whether the teacher works in a language school, private school, international school, tutoring environment or another educational setting.
Being a native English speaker alone does not guarantee a high salary. Formal teaching qualifications, classroom experience and specialized credentials can improve employment prospects.
See: English Teacher Salary in Greece
Vocational education is another major part of the Greek education system. Teaching requirements can differ depending on the vocational subject, qualification and institution.
Teachers should check the specific recruitment announcement and qualification requirements for vocational positions rather than assuming that every teaching role follows exactly the same rules.
See: Vocational Teacher Salary in Greece
School leadership is different from ordinary classroom teaching because management and leadership responsibilities can result in additional compensation or different conditions.
The Greek education system has specific structures for educational leadership in primary and secondary education.
Teachers interested in becoming principals or other school leaders should consider both their underlying teacher salary step and any applicable position-related benefits or allowances.
See: School Principal Salary in Greece
Athens is Greece's largest urban employment market and has a large concentration of schools, private education providers, tutoring organizations and international education.
For public-school teachers, however, Athens does not automatically have a separate teacher salary scale simply because of the city's higher housing costs.
The national salary framework is therefore more important than the city when estimating basic public-school teacher pay.
Teachers considering Athens should nevertheless compare salary with local housing and transportation costs.
Thessaloniki is another major education centre in Greece, with public schools, private schools, universities, tutoring centres and international education opportunities.
Public-school teacher basic pay is based on the national salary framework rather than a separate Thessaloniki salary scale.
Living costs can differ from Athens, so teachers should compare the overall financial package rather than salary alone.
A teacher should not evaluate a Greek salary without considering housing and everyday expenses.
Athens and popular tourist destinations can have substantially different housing costs from smaller inland cities or towns.
Before accepting a teaching position, compare:
Useful IsGreece guides:
The basic salary table is only one part of public-sector compensation. Depending on the position and personal circumstances, teachers may qualify for different allowances or benefits under the applicable rules.
Possible factors can include:
Because eligibility can change according to legislation and the individual employee's circumstances, allowances should be checked separately rather than automatically added to the basic salary figures on this page.
Salary negotiation is different in public and private education.
For public-school teachers, the national salary framework and classification rules have a major role. A teacher cannot normally negotiate a completely different basic salary with an individual public school in the same way that an employee may negotiate with a private company.
Private and international schools can have more flexibility in employment packages. Teachers should compare:
The highest total compensation is not necessarily associated simply with the word "teacher." Additional responsibility, qualifications, experience and the employer can all affect total earnings.
Potentially higher-paid education careers can include:
The Greek Ministry of Education publishes information about teacher appointments, recruitment and the education workforce.
Recent Ministry announcements include permanent appointments in primary and secondary education as well as special education, demonstrating the continuing recruitment process for public education positions.
Teachers should always check the latest official announcement rather than relying on an old recruitment article because eligibility requirements, procedures and deadlines can change.
| Teaching Career | Salary / Pay Structure in Greece |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teacher | Public-sector pay generally follows the applicable teacher/public-sector salary framework. |
| Primary Teacher | Qualified public teachers generally fall under the applicable PE salary framework. |
| Secondary Teacher | Basic public-sector salary depends on the applicable category and recognized service. |
| Special Education | Basic salary framework plus any applicable position-specific conditions or allowances. |
| School Leadership | Teacher salary plus applicable leadership-related compensation and conditions. |
| International School Teacher | Determined by the individual school, curriculum, qualifications and experience. |
| English Teacher | Varies substantially by language school, private school, international school or tutoring. |
| Vocational Teacher | Depends on qualification, subject, institution and applicable employment framework. |
For teachers in the relevant PE public-sector category, the basic gross salary from 1 April 2026 starts at approximately €1,232 per month at MK1 and reaches approximately €2,294 per month at MK19. Actual salary can differ because of recognized service, allowances, deductions and employment conditions.
The 2026 basic gross salary for the first PE salary step, MK1, is approximately €1,232 per month from 1 April 2026.
The highest regular step in the 2026 PE salary scale is MK19, with a basic gross salary of approximately €2,294 per month. This is a salary-scale maximum and does not mean every teacher automatically reaches it.
Public primary-school teachers in the relevant PE category generally follow the national public-sector salary framework. From April 2026, the PE scale ranges from approximately €1,232 to €2,294 gross per month depending on salary step and recognized service.
The basic salary depends on the teacher's applicable category and recognized service. For teachers in the relevant PE category, the April 2026 scale ranges from approximately €1,232 at MK1 to €2,294 at MK19.
Qualified public kindergarten teachers are paid according to the applicable public-sector salary framework. For teachers in the relevant PE category, the basic scale from April 2026 ranges from approximately €1,232 to €2,294 gross per month.
The basic annual figures on this page are calculated as 12 monthly salary payments. You should not automatically add a separate 13th salary to the public-sector figures.
Yes, but requirements depend on the position, qualification, nationality, school and recruitment system. Foreign qualifications may require recognition or assessment where applicable.
Greek is generally very important for teaching in the Greek public-school system because teachers work within the Greek-language education environment. International and some private schools can have different language requirements.
Teaching can provide a structured career path and, in public education, a nationally defined salary framework. However, teachers should compare salary with housing costs, taxes, social-security deductions and local living expenses.
Previous experience may be relevant for salary placement or professional eligibility, but it should not be assumed that every year of overseas experience is automatically recognized in exactly the same way. Official documentation and the applicable rules are important.
Under the 2026 PE salary scale, 10–12 years of recognized service corresponds to MK6, with a basic gross salary of approximately €1,527 per month.
Under the 2026 PE salary scale, 20–22 years of recognized service corresponds to MK11, with a basic gross salary of approximately €1,822 per month.
Under the 2026 PE salary scale, 30–32 years of recognized service corresponds to MK16, with a basic gross salary of approximately €2,117 per month.
IsGreece has separate guides for salaries, jobs, living costs and employment opportunities in Greece. Use these pages to compare careers and understand the Greek job market.