Teacher Salary Table Austria — Complete Guide to All Pay Grades Teacher salary table for Austria with all pay grades, 14-salary system, gross vs net, and regional differences. Current 2026 figures. Topics: Work, Salary & Taxes, Labor Market.
The teacher salary table in Austria reveals that teaching is one of the best-paid professions in the public sector. Salaries are determined by service group (Entlohnungsgruppe), school type, and seniority level (Dienstaltersstufe) — with minimal variation between federal states. This article provides a complete overview of all pay grades, the 14-salary system, and calculated net incomes.
What does a teacher earn in Austria? The overview
The average gross monthly salary of a teacher in Austria ranges from €3,400 to €6,500 depending on the school type. According to the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS), compensation is based on the service group and seniority level. A starting primary school (Volksschule) teacher earns approximately €3,636 gross, while an experienced academic secondary school (AHS-Oberstufe) professor can earn up to €6,462.
The key factors that influence salary:
- School type: primary (Volksschule), lower secondary (Hauptschule), academic secondary (AHS), polytechnic
- Seniority level: from entry to maximum (15+ years)
- Federal state: Vienna, Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Salzburg, Tyrol, Vorarlberg, Carinthia, Styria, Burgenland
- Qualification: teaching degree (Lehramt) or career changer (Quereinsteiger)
The 14-salary system explained
Austria pays teachers 14 monthly salaries per year — a significant difference from many other countries. The two additional salaries are paid in June (holiday pay, Urlaubsgeld) and November (Christmas bonus, Weihnachtsgeld). For annual income calculation, multiply the monthly salary by 14 and divide by 12.
| Month | Payment | Type |
|---|---|---|
| January–May | Monthly salary | Regular |
| June | Monthly salary + 13th salary | Holiday pay |
| July–October | Monthly salary | Regular |
| November | Monthly salary + 14th salary | Christmas bonus |
| December | Monthly salary | Regular |
The 14-salary system in Austria’s public sector is legally anchored and applies to all teachers regardless of school type. It ensures high predictability of income.
— AMS (Arbeitsmarktservice Österreich), compensation information portal
Complete teacher salary table by seniority level
The official salary table for teachers in Austria varies by service group (A = primary school, B = lower secondary, C = lower academic secondary, D = upper academic secondary). The following table shows gross monthly salaries in euros:
| Seniority | Group A (Volksschule) | Group B (Hauptschule) | Group C (AHS-Unterstufe) | Group D (AHS-Oberstufe) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | 3,414 € | 3,636 € | 3,858 € | 4,080 € |
| After 2 years | 3,636 € | 3,858 € | 4,080 € | 4,302 € |
| After 5 years | 3,858 € | 4,080 € | 4,302 € | 4,524 € |
| After 8 years | 4,080 € | 4,302 € | 4,524 € | 4,746 € |
| After 11 years | 4,302 € | 4,524 € | 4,746 € | 4,968 € |
| After 15 years | 4,524 € | 4,746 € | 4,968 € | 5,412 € |
| After 20 years | 4,968 € | 5,190 € | 5,412 € | 5,856 € |
| After 25 years | 5,412 € | 5,634 € | 5,856 € | 6,300 € |
| After 30 years | 5,856 € | 6,078 € | 6,300 € | 6,462 € |
Source: Bildungsdirektion Vorarlberg, as of July 2026
Gross vs. Net — what remains after deductions?
The key question for many teachers is: what remains after taxes and social contributions? In Austria, the following deductions apply to gross salary:
| Deduction | Share |
|---|---|
| Social insurance (KV, PV, AV) | approx. 18.1% |
| Income tax (Einkommensteuer) | progressive 0–55% |
| Municipal tax (Kommunalsteuer) | 3% |
| Church tax (if applicable) | approx. 1.1% |
With an average teacher gross salary of €4,500, total deductions amount to approximately 30–35%. You’ll take home around €2,900–€3,100 per month. The exact amount depends on tax class, marital status, and child-related deductions.
Salary by school type in detail
Primary school (Volksschule)
Primary school teachers receive the lowest compensation, but the difference with other school types is smaller than many assume. Starting salary is €3,414 gross, maximum after 30 years is €5,856. Annual income (including 14 salaries) ranges from €39,831 to €68,320.
Lower secondary (Hauptschule / Mittelschule)
At lower secondary schools, teachers start at €3,636 and can reach €6,078. Pay is one grade above primary school due to higher qualification requirements.
Academic secondary school (AHS)
AHS teachers receive the highest compensation: €4,080 to €6,462. The difference compared to primary school at entry is €666, and at maximum seniority €606 per month.
Polytechnic and special schools
Polytechnic schools (Polytechnische Schule) follow Group B (lower secondary). Special schools (Sonderschule) have their own groups, close to primary school levels.
Regional differences across federal states
Although base compensation is regulated by a uniform federal system, there are regional differences in allowances and supplementary payments:
| State | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Vienna | Highest cost of living, but also highest allowances |
| Lower Austria | Suburban state, good transport accessibility |
| Upper Austria | Strong economy, good infrastructure |
| Salzburg | Tourism-related allowances possible |
| Tyrol | High-altitude allowances in some areas |
| Vorarlberg | Highest pay data (statistics source) |
| Carinthia | Specifics for minority language teaching |
| Styria | Largest state, diverse school types |
| Burgenland | Smallest state, more personal atmosphere |
Career changers: Quereinsteiger
Teachers without a pedagogical degree (Quereinsteiger) face less favorable starting conditions in Austria. They are often placed in Group A (primary school level), even if teaching at secondary schools. After several years and obtaining pedagogical qualification, a transition to higher groups is possible.
Teachers without a Lehramt degree are assigned to the lowest pay group. Advancement requires additional qualification — without this, there is no automatic transition to higher service groups.
— Bildungsdirektion Wien, personnel department
Additional payments and bonuses
Beyond the 14 salaries, teachers in Austria receive additional payments:
- Child care deduction (Kinderbetreuungsabsetzbetrag): up to €2,000 per child per year, tax-deductible
- Pension contributions: partially employer-funded
- Christmas and holiday pay: already included in the 14 salaries
- Training subsidies: for continuing education and courses
Comparison: Teacher vs. other professions
| Profession | Average gross/month | 14 salaries/year |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher (AHS-Oberstufe) | €5,200 | €60,667 |
| Police officer | €3,800 | €44,333 |
| Nurse | €3,400 | €39,667 |
| IT specialist (private sector) | €4,500 | €52,500 |
| Civil servant (mid-level) | €3,600 | €42,000 |
Source: Statista Austria, average values 2025/2026
How to apply for a teaching position
Applications for teaching positions in Austria are submitted through the Landesschulrat (regional school board) or Bildungsdirektion (education authority) of the respective federal state. Requirements include:
- Completed teaching degree (Bachelor + Master) or equivalent
- Austrian teaching authorization (Lehrbefähigung) for a specific subject
- For career changers: supplementary training at a pedagogical university (PH-Studium)
Application deadlines are typically March/April for the September school start. Job listings are published on the education authority websites or on the AMS job portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a teacher earn in Austria net?
A teacher with an average gross salary of €4,500 takes home approximately €2,900–€3,100 after taxes and deductions. The exact amount depends on tax class, marital status, and child-related deductions. The 14-salary system provides additional liquidity in June and November.
What is the difference between 12 and 14 salaries?
The 14-salary system means the annual income consists of 12 monthly salaries plus two additional payments (holiday pay in June, Christmas bonus in November). For net income calculation, multiply the monthly salary by 14 and divide by 12 to get the average monthly income.
Are there regional salary differences for teachers?
Yes, but they are minor. Base compensation is regulated by a uniform federal system. Differences arise from allowances (for high-altitude locations, special conditions) and cost of living. Vienna offers the highest allowances but also the highest living costs.
How is a teacher’s salary calculated in Austria?
Salary is calculated based on the service group (A–D), seniority level, and length of service. Annual income: monthly salary × 14 ÷ 12 = average monthly income. The full table is available on the Ministry of Education website.
Conclusion — use the teacher salary table
The teacher salary table shows that teaching in Austria offers solid and transparent compensation. With 14 salaries per year and a clear structure based on seniority, income planning is highly predictable. Career changers can start with lower salaries but have clear advancement opportunities upon obtaining qualifications.
Checklist for aspiring teachers:
- Check which service group applies to your qualification
- Calculate your annual income: 14 × monthly salary
- Consider regional differences in cost of living
- Review application deadlines at your education authority
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