The salary scale in Bangladesh determines the monthly compensation of a government employee based on the 20 well-defined grades. These grades show the role, rank, and responsibility of each employee at each level. The latest major update is the National Pay Scale 2026, which has now been officially gazetted and is effective retrospectively from July 1, 2026.
The government issued the Jobs (Salary and Allowances) Order, 2026 on September 19, 2026. Under the new structure, the minimum basic salary for Grade 20 has increased to BDT 20,000, while the fixed salary for Grade 1 is BDT 156,000. The basic salary increases by up to 100% for Grades 1–11 and by 115% to 142% for Grades 12–20. The revised basic pay is being introduced in phases, with the full increase scheduled to take effect from July 1, 2027.
The 2026 gazette also goes beyond the general government service. Separate pay-and-allowance orders were issued for autonomous and state-owned organizations, banks, insurance and financial institutions, Bangladesh Police, and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). This means the latest salary information needs to be considered according to the employee’s sector and applicable pay order.
The new structure also revises house rent, medical allowance, pension, education assistance and other benefits, while the previous grade-based special allowance is discontinued under the new arrangement.
What Is Salary Scale in Bangladesh?
The salary scale is a structured system that shows how much a government employee earns in a month in Bangladesh. The salary scale, also known as the National Pay Scale, is divided into 20 grades. Each of them includes a specific salary range.
Here, the Ministry of Finance recommends and implements structures for government and autonomous bodies. He formulates fiscal policies and manages financial institutions. The government also updates the scale periodically. It is often based on advice from the National Pay and Services Commission on pay structures, allowances, and retirement benefits.
What Is the New Government Pay Scale with Grade in Bangladesh?
The 9th National Pay Scale 2026 is now the latest official salary structure for government employees.
The new scale was approved by the cabinet on August 31, 2026, and the official gazette was issued on September 19, 2026. It is effective from July 1, 2026.
Here is the grade-wise salary structure:
| Grade | Salary Range(BDT) | Common Position |
|---|---|---|
| Grade-01 | 156,000 (Fixed) | Secretary / equivalent |
| Grade-02 | 132,000 – 153,000 | Additional Secretary / equivalent |
| Grade-03 | 113,000 – 148,800 | Joint Secretary / equivalent |
| Grade-04 | 100,000 – 142,400 | Deputy Secretary / equivalent |
| Grade-05 | 86,000 – 139,700 | Senior-level government positions / equivalent |
| Grade-06 | 71,000 – 134,000 | Senior Assistant Secretary / equivalent |
| Grade-07 | 58,000 – 126,800 | Various senior government positions |
| Grade-08 | 46,000 – 110,800 | Various government officer positions |
| Grade-09 | 44,000 – 105,900 | BCS cadre entry-level officer / equivalent |
| Grade-10 | 32,000 – 77,300 | Various government positions |
| Grade-11 | 25,000 – 60,500 | Various government positions |
| Grade-12 | 24,300 – 58,700 | Various government positions |
| Grade-13 | 24,000 – 58,000 | Various government positions |
| Grade-14 | 23,500 – 56,800 | Various government positions |
| Grade-15 | 22,800 – 55,200 | Various government positions |
| Grade-16 | 21,900 – 52,900 | Various government positions |
| Grade-17 | 21,400 – 51,900 | Various government positions |
| Grade-18 | 21,000 – 50,900 | Various government positions |
| Grade-19 | 20,500 – 49,600 | Various government positions |
| Grade-20 | 20,000 – 48,400 | Various government positions |
Note: The grade assigned to a position can vary according to the specific post, cadre, department and applicable service rules. A job title should not automatically be treated as equivalent to one particular grade.
How Much Has the Government Salary Increased Under the 9th Pay Scale?
The new pay scale provides the largest increases at the lower grades.
Employees in Grades 1 to 11 receive a 100% increase in their starting basic salary, while Grades 12 to 20 receive increases ranging from 115% to 142%. The largest percentage increase is for Grade 20.
Let’s compare 2015 vs 2026 Pay Scale here.
| Grade | 2015 Pay Scale (BDT) | 2026 Pay Scale (BDT) | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade-01 | 78,000 (Fixed) | 156,000 (Fixed) | 100% |
| Grade-02 | 66,000 - 74,400 | 132000 – 153000 | 100% |
| Grade-03 | 56,500 - 77,400 | 113,000 - 148,800 | 100% |
| Grade-04 | 50,000 - 71,200 | 100,000 - 142,400 | 100% |
| Grade-05 | 43,000 - 69,850 | 86,000 – 139,700 | 100% |
| Grade-06 | 35,500 - 67,010 | 71,000 – 134,000 | 100% |
| Grade-07 | 29,000 - 63,410 | 58,000 – 126,800 | 100% |
| Grade-08 | 23,000 - 55,470 | 46,000 – 110,800 | 100% |
| Grade-09 | 22,000 - 53,060 | 44,000 – 105,900 | 100% |
| Grade-10 | 16,000 - 38,640 | 32,000 – 77,300 | 100% |
| Grade-11 | 12,500 - 30,230 | 25,000 – 60,500 | 100% |
| Grade-12 | 11,300 - 27,300 | 24,300 – 58,700 | 115% |
| Grade-13 | 11,000 - 26,590 | 24,000 – 58,000 | 118% |
| Grade-14 | 10,200 - 24,680 | 23,500 – 56,800 | 130% |
| Grade-15 | 9,700 - 23,490 | 22,800 – 55,200 | 135% |
| Grade-16 | 9,300 - 22,490 | 21,900 – 52,900 | 135% |
| Grade-17 | 9,000 - 21,800 | 21,400 – 51,900 | 138% |
| Grade-18 | 8,800 - 21,310 | 21,000 – 50,900 | 139% |
| Grade-19 | 8,500 - 20,570 | 20,500 – 49,600 | 141% |
| Grade-20 | 8,250 - 20,010 | 20,000 – 48,400 | 142% |
When Will the New 9th Pay Scale Be Implemented in Bangladesh?
The increase in basic pay will not be added in full immediately.
For Grades 1–9: Employees receive 40% of the total additional basic pay from July 1 to December 31, 2026. This increases to 70% from January 1 to June 30, 2027, with the full adjustment taking effect from July 1, 2027.
For Grades 10–20: Employees receive 50% of the total additional basic pay from July 1 to December 31, 2026. This increases to 75% from January 1 to June 30, 2027, followed by the full adjustment from July 1, 2027.
Existing allowance rates will generally remain in place through December 31, 2027, while the revised allowance rates under the new structure will apply from January 1, 2028.
Why Was the 9th National Pay Scale Introduced?
The previous national pay scale was introduced in 2015, meaning government employees had remained under the same national salary structure for around 11 years.
The government considered several factors when approving the 2026 pay scale, including:
- Inflation
- Cost of living
- Government’s financial capacity
- Overall economic conditions
- Living standards of government employees
- The need for a more balanced salary structure
The ratio between the lowest and highest grades has also been narrowed. Under the new structure, the ratio between the lowest and highest basic salaries is approximately 1:7.8, compared with the previous 1:9.45. The aim is to create a more balanced relationship between the salaries of employees across grades.
How Is Salary Calculated Grade-Wise in Bangladesh?
Government salary is calculated using the basic salary assigned to the employee’s grade, along with the allowances and benefits for which the employee is eligible.
These may depend on factors such as:
- Grade
- Salary step
- Work location
- Employee age
- Number of eligible children
- Type of position
- Applicable service rules
So, the total salary = basic monthly salary assigned to the specific grade + monthly allowances.
Here is an example of salary calculation. Let’s say someone is working as a Grade 10 government employee.
- Basic Salary = BDT 32,000
- House Rent Allowance = BDT 6,400
- Medical Allowance = BDT 1,500
- Transport Allowance = BDT 2,000
So, Total Gross Salary: 32,000 + 6,400 + 1,500 + 2,000 = BDT 41,900
What Is the Difference Between Basic Pay and Gross Pay?
Basic pay is the fixed salary of a government employee based on grade. On the other hand, gross salary includes all allowances added to the basic pay. So, it forms the total monthly earnings of an employee.
| Traits | Basic Pay | Gross Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Fixed monthly amount based on grade | Basic pay + all allowances |
| Varies By | Grade, education, skill, experience, location | All components of compensation are agreed upon with the government |
| Purpose | Used to calculate increments, pension, or promotions | Shows actual monthly or yearly take-home eligibility |
What Is the Salary Increment Policy by Grade in Bangladesh?
Government employees in Bangladesh generally receive salary increments through annual basic pay increases. The new pay structure changes the way salary progression works across grades. The annual increment date is set as the first day of the fiscal year, and employees receive an increment on July 1, 2026 under the current arrangement.
The new structure also reduces the waiting period for receiving a higher grade without promotion from 10 years to eight years. Receiving a higher grade under this provision does not itself constitute a promotion.
What Are the Allowances Under the 2026 Pay Scale?
The government employees in Bangladesh receive a number of allowances with their basic salary, which often makes their total monthly income higher than the average salary in Bangladesh. These add up to the overall job value.
The National Pay Scale 2026 revises several allowances. However, the revised allowance rates generally take effect from January 1, 2028, while existing rates continue through December 31, 2027.
House Rent Allowance: House rent allowance now varies according to both grade and work location. Here is the new house rent allowance rule.
| Grade | Dhaka North and Dhaka South City Corporation | Designated City Corporations and Municipalities* | Other Areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 20–16 | 60% of basic | 50% of basic | 45% of basic |
| Grade 15–10 | 50% of basic | 40% of basic | 35% of basic |
| Grade 9–5 | 45% of basic | 35% of basic | 30% of basic |
| Grade 4–1 | 40% of basic | 30% of basic | 25% of basic |
*The designated areas include Khulna, Rajshahi, Chattogram, Sylhet, Barishal, Narayanganj, Cumilla, Rangpur, Gazipur, Mymensingh and Bogura city corporations, plus Savar and Cox’s Bazar municipal areas.
Medical Allowance: The new order provides:
- BDT 3,000 per month up to age 50
- BDT 4,000 from age 50 years and one day until post-retirement leave
Retired employees and lifetime family pensioners receive age-based medical benefits that rise to BDT 6,000 after age 70.
Bengali New Year Allowance: The Bengali New Year allowance is set at 15% of basic salary under the new order.
Special Allowance: The previous special allowance is discontinued under the new pay structure. The amount already paid from July 1 until the gazette’s effective implementation will be adjusted against eligible arrears.
Benefits:
- Pension: This is the monthly payment a government employee receives after retirement in Bangladesh. It is paid for life, with possible family pension benefits. The pension is calculated based on a percentage of their last drawn basic salary.
- Gratuity: It is a one-off payment an employee receives after retirement or termination of the job.
- Job security: A government job offers high security and protection from arbitrary dismissal. It makes government jobs the most secure career path in Bangladesh.
Value of total compensation:
Total compensation refers to the complete financial value an employee receives from their employment.
It goes beyond basic salary and may include:
Basic salary + allowances + bonuses/benefits + retirement benefits
Therefore, comparing government jobs based only on basic salary does not provide a complete picture of employee compensation.
What Are the Pension Benefits Under the 2026 Pay Scale?
The new pay scale also increases the net pension received by retired employees. Rather than providing the same percentage increase to every pensioner, the government has adopted a slab-based system.
| Monthly Net Pension | Increase |
|---|---|
| Tk 9,000 or less | 100% |
| Tk 9,001–20,000 | 75% |
| Tk 20,001–30,000 | 65% |
| Tk 30,001–40,000 | 60% |
| Tk 40,001 or more | 55% |
For example, a pensioner receiving Tk 9,000 per month would receive a 100% increase, taking the amount to Tk 18,000 under the announced arrangement. The higher percentage for lower pension slabs is intended to provide greater financial support to pensioners receiving comparatively smaller monthly pensions. Pensioners already receiving more than BDT 70,200 do not receive an additional increase until July 1, 2027 under the relevant provision.
Will MPO Teachers and Employees Get the New Pay Scale?
According to the information provided by the Education Ministry, MPO-listed teachers and employees of non-government educational institutions will receive benefits under the new pay structure.
More than six lakh teachers and employees are covered by the MPO system. These employees receive government financial assistance toward salaries and allowances through the Monthly Pay Order system. Their revised benefits will be determined according to their existing grades and applicable rules.
The new pay structure is expected to increase their basic salaries and related benefits, including house rent allowances.
Will Judicial Service Employees Get the New Pay Scale?
The Bangladesh Judicial Service will have a separate pay structure. A separate committee has been formed to review the judicial service salary structure. Based on its recommendations, the Bangladesh Judicial Service Pay Scale will be approved. The judicial pay structure is expected to take retrospective effect from July 1, 2026, with phased implementation similar to the National Pay Scale 2026.
What Is the New Pay Structure for the Armed Forces?
The government has also approved the Joint Services Instructions 2026 for the armed forces in line with the new national pay structure. The revised armed forces structure will take effect from July 1, 2026, alongside the National Pay Scale 2026.
How Much Will the New Pay Scale Cost the Government?
The implementation of the new salary structure will significantly increase government expenditure. The government estimates that the revised pay scale will require an additional Tk 1,05,580 crore per year once fully implemented. The expenditure has been incorporated into the budgets of the respective fiscal years under the government’s Medium-Term Budget Framework. The phased implementation is intended to help the government manage the additional financial pressure.
So, will the new pay scale increase inflation in Bangladesh? The National Pay Scale 2026 could create some additional inflationary pressure in Bangladesh, particularly by increasing demand, but the phased implementation and broader economic management taken by government will play an important role in determining its actual impact.
What are the Evolutions of the Salary Scale in Bangladesh?
The national pay scale in Bangladesh has officially changed a total of nine times from 1973 to 2026. The 2026 revision is therefore the 9th National Pay Scale. The 2015 structure was the 8th national pay scale and remained in effect for around 11 years before the latest revision.
The Ministry of Finance announces each revision through a government gazette. So, it serves as the most reliable source for understanding the evaluation of the Bangladesh government’s salary scale.
However, let’s check the historical evaluations of the salary scale in Bangladesh in the table below data.
| Grade | 1973 | 1977 | 1985 | 1991 | 1997 | 2005 | 2009 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st scale | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th & latest | |
| BDT | BDT | BDT | BDT | BDT | BDT | BDT | BDT | |
| 1 | 2000 | 3000 | 6000 | 10000 | 15000 | 23000 | 40000 | 78000 |
| 2 | 2850 | 5700 | 8600 | 12900 | 19300 | 33500 | 66000 | |
| 3 | 1475 | 2650 | 4750 | 7800 | 11700 | 16800 | 29000 | 56000 |
| 4 | 2100 | 4200 | 7100 | 10700 | 15000 | 25750 | 50000 | |
| 5 | 1150 | 1850 | 3700 | 6300 | 9500 | 13750 | 22250 | 43000 |
| 6 | 1700 | 2800 | 4800 | 7200 | 11000 | 18500 | 35500 | |
| 7 | 800 | 1400 | 2400 | 4100 | 6150 | 9000 | 15000 | 29000 |
| 8 | 1150 | 1850 | 3200 | 4800 | 74700 | 12000 | 23000 | |
| 9 | 475 | 900 | 1650 | 2850 | 4300 | 6800 | 11000 | 22000 |
| 10 | 750 | 1350 | 2300 | 3400 | 5100 | 8000 | 16000 | |
| 11 | 375 | 625 | 1000 | 1725 | 2550 | 4100 | 6400 | 12000 |
| 12 | 470 | 900 | 1550 | 2375 | 3700 | 5900 | 11300 | |
| 13 | 310 | 425 | 850 | 1475 | 2250 | 3500 | 5500 | 11000 |
| 14 | 400 | 800 | 1375 | 2100 | 3300 | 5200 | 10200 | |
| 15 | 220 | 370 | 750 | 1300 | 1975 | 3100 | 4900 | 9700 |
| 16 | 325 | 700 | 1200 | 1875 | 3000 | 4700 | 9300 | |
| 17 | 145 | 300 | 650 | 1125 | 1750 | 2850 | 4500 | 9000 |
| 18 | 275 | 600 | 1050 | 1625 | 2600 | 4400 | 8800 | |
| 19 | 130 | 250 | 550 | 975 | 1560 | 2500 | 4250 | 8500 |
| 20 | 240 | 500 | 900 | 1500 | 2400 | 4100 | 82150 |
What are the Differences Between the Private sector and Public Sector Salary scales?
Where the company fixes the salary in the private sector, the public sector salary is based on a fixed national pay scale.
Private Sector
Actually, there is no fixed salary scale in the private sector. In the private sector, the salary range generally depends on a number of factors. For instance,
- Industry and company size
- Employee experience
- Negotiation
For example, high performers can enjoy faster salary growth. Moreover, private sector employees can enjoy performance bonuses and have long-term job security.
Let’s check out the salary range in different private sectors.
| Private Sectors | Entry Level | Senior Level |
|---|---|---|
| Banks | BDT 20,000 - 30,000 per month | BDT 100,000 + per month |
| Multinational Corporations (MNCs) | BDT 40,000 - 60,000 per month | BDT 200,000 + per month |
| Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) | BDT 25,000 - 40,000 per month | BDT 100,000 + per month |
| IT Companies | BDT 30,000 - 50,000 per month | BDT 150,000 + per month |
| Local Group of Companies | BDT 25,000 - 40,000 per month | BDT 120,000 + per month |
Public sector
Public sector employee also refers to government employees. Here, the salary is fixed and totally based on the national pay scale. Moreover, it is determined by the grade levels. The employees can enjoy regular annual increments, allowances, and pension benefits.
What are the Salary Differences for Different Government Job Roles?
Government job salaries vary greatly depending on the job roles and salary scale grades.
Let’s have a quick overview of the salaries in different government job roles below.
- BCS cadre officers: Grade 9 starts at BDT 44,000, with the basic salary progressing up to BDT 105,900 within the grade.
- Primary teachers: A Grade 15 government employee has a basic salary ranging from BDT 22,800 to BDT 55,200 under the new scale.
- High school teachers: Depending on their grade, salaries range from BDT 46,000 to BDT 110,800 at Grade 8 and BDT 58,000 to BDT 126,800 at Grade 7.
- Doctors as medical officers: Depending on the assigned grade, the basic salary can range from BDT 32,000 at Grade 10 to BDT 46,000 at Grade 8, with further progression within each grade.
- Engineers: Depending on their grade, the basic salary ranges from BDT 58,000 at Grade 7 to BDT 71,000 at Grade 6, with progression up to the maximum of each grade.
- Junior officers: At Grade 9, the basic salary ranges from BDT 44,000 to BDT 105,900.
- Senior officers: Depending on their grade, the basic salary ranges from BDT 86,000 to BDT 139,700 at Grade 5 and BDT 100,000 to BDT 142,400 at Grade 4.
How Can Organizations Manage Salary Changes Under the New Pay Scale?
Organizations can manage salary changes efficiently by following a structured payroll workflow that covers salary revision, approval, calculation, and implementation.
For government organizations in Bangladesh, the new pay scale requires updating employee records based on the revised grade and salary structure, including basic pay, increments, allowances, gratuity, pension-related benefits, and monthly payroll. Managing these updates manually across a large workforce can require significant administrative effort and increase the risk of calculation or data-entry errors. An automated payroll system can streamline these changes by applying predefined payroll rules and recalculating applicable benefits.
Private organizations are not required to follow the government pay scale, but some companies may revise their salary structures to remain competitive or maintain a reasonable balance with public-sector compensation. HR and payroll software available in Bangladesh can simplify these revisions by updating salaries, allowances, deductions, gratuity, and payroll calculations while reducing repetitive manual work.
Final Words
All in all, it is important to understand the government salary scale in Bangladesh. That is especially true when you want to have a government career or compare it to the private sector. Simply put, a public job offers you a stable career and lifetime secure financial planning. In contrast, private sector roles bring about flexibility. So, ultimately, knowing the government salary scale in Bangladesh offers you the clarity and confidence to make informed decisions.
