Indonesian Teacher Salaries vs. Southeast Asia: A Comparison

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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar apologized for a statement he made on September 3, 2025, suggesting that teachers should not be focused on making money. The comments, which quickly went viral and drew public criticism, have reignited the debate over teacher welfare in Indonesia. This issue is particularly relevant as Indonesia's teacher salaries are among the lowest in Southeast Asia.

Teacher Salaries in Indonesia

Teacher salaries in Indonesia vary significantly based on their employment status and the type of institution they work for. Civil servant (PNS) teachers, as stipulated in Government Regulation Number 5 of 2024, receive a base salary ranging from Rp1.68 million for the lowest grade to Rp6.37 million per month.

Government employee teachers with work agreements (PPPK), regulated by Presidential Regulation Number 11 of 2024, have salaries that range from Rp1.93 million to Rp7.32 million per month. Both PNS and PPPK teachers receive additional benefits, including family allowances, food allowances, and performance and certification allowances.

For honorary teachers, the conditions are much more precarious. For instance, an honorary teacher in Bengkulu claimed to receive a monthly salary of Rp540,000 during a meeting with Commission X of the House of Representatives on July 14, 2025. While some honorary teachers receive a salary equivalent to the district/city minimum wage (UMK), as was the case for 5,546 non-permanent teachers in Central Java in 2022, this is not the norm.

The Institute for Demographic and Poverty Studies (IDEAS) reported in May 2024 that 74 percent of honorary teachers earn salaries below the UMK, or less than Rp2 million per month. The survey involved 403 respondents from 25 provinces. The government does provide annual incentives for non-civil servant teachers, but the amount is minimal: only Rp2.1 million per year for formal teachers and Rp2.4 million for non-formal early childhood education teachers.

Comparison with Other ASEAN Countries

Singapore

According to JobStreet, teacher salaries in Singapore are notably high. In the Serangoon area, teachers earn an average of S$3,650 (approximately Rp46 million) per month. In Bukit Timah, the average salary reaches S$5,250 (approximately Rp66.8 million).

According to a CNA report, Singapore's Ministry of Education stated in September 2024 that it would protect teachers from "unreasonable expectations" that could harm their well-being. Education Minister Chan Chun Sing even stated that teachers should not be required to respond to work messages outside of school hours, except in emergencies.

Vietnam

According to VnExpress, in October 2024, the Ho Chi Minh City government increased the salary coefficient for civil servants, including teachers, by 1.8 times. Under this new policy, experienced teachers can earn up to 40 million Vietnamese dong (approximately Rp24.8 million) per month.

However, new teachers in Vietnam are paid significantly less, between 6.6 and 7.4 million dong, or approximately Rp4.1 to 4.6 million, which is lower than the average income of Vietnamese workers (Rp4.7 million). According to VietnamPlus, Vietnam aims to have at least five universities ranked among the world's top 500 and another five among Asia's top 200 by 2030.

The Ministry of Education and Training also recently proposed increasing teacher allowances by up to 80 percent, providing allowances for school staff, and establishing special allowances for educators on temporary assignments.

Malaysia

According to JobStreet, teachers in Malaysia receive varying salaries across regions. In Perak Tengah, the average monthly salary is Rp10.5 million, while in Muar District it reaches Rp25 million. A report by Free Malaysia Today noted that teachers working in remote areas receive an additional allowance of between RM500 and RM1,500, or approximately Rp1.9 million to 5.8 million, depending on the distance to the school.

Brunei Darussalam

According to data from SeekTeachers and Glassdoor, teacher salaries in Brunei Darussalam range from BND1,800 to BND6,000, or Rp22.9 million to Rp76 million, depending on the type of school. Teachers in international schools receive the highest compensation.

Thailand

According to JobStreet, teachers in Thailand average 21,000 to 35,000 baht, or Rp9.2 million to Rp17.7 million, per month. Teachers in Bangkok earn an average of Rp13.9 million, while in Chiang Mai it's only Rp7.1 million.

Philippines

According to JobStreet, teacher salaries in the Philippines range from 28,500 to 29,797 pesos (approximately Rp8.1 million to Rp8.5 million) per month.

Laos

In Laos, according to Paylab and Glassdoor, teacher salaries range from US130toUS300 (approximately Rp2.1 million to Rp4.9 million). University teachers earn an average of Rp4.5 million, while elementary school teachers earn Rp3.9 million.

Cambodia

According to Glassdoor and Cambodia Teaching Jobs, teacher salaries in Cambodia range from US$800 to 2,500 (approximately Rp 13.1 million to Rp 41 million) per month, depending on experience and school type.

Myanmar

According to Teach Away, teachers in Myanmar who teach in public schools earn an average of US$700 to 1,000 (approximately Rp11.4 million to Rp16.4 million) per month. Teachers at international schools can earn US$1,200 to 1,500 or Rp19.7 to 24.6 million.