Malawi’s civil service salary structure has undergone a significant revision in 2024, impacting various government sectors and public service roles. This detailed analysis will provide you with insights into the new salary figures across different grades and ministries, focusing on the updated remuneration for roles within the civil service, teaching, and health sectors. This guide is intended to shed light on the specifics of the salary scales to assist civil servants, educators, healthcare workers, and anyone interested in the financial landscape of public sector jobs in Malawi.
Main Civil Service Salary Grades
The civil service has a well-defined hierarchical salary structure, with grades ranging from A (the highest) to R (the lowest). Each grade encompasses different roles and responsibilities, ensuring compensation aligns with the level of responsibility and seniority.
Grade A – Head of Public Service
- The highest-paid civil service position, overseeing the entire public service.
- New Salary: K 44,862,300.00 – K 48,899,952.00
Grade B – Deputy Head of Public Service
- Senior administrative role supporting the Head of Public Service.
- New Salary: K 32,711,508.00 – K 37,618,164.00
Grade C – Head of Ministry
- Responsible for leading a government ministry.
- New Salary: K 23,963,052.00 – K 27,708,456.00
Grade D – Heads of Departments
- Overseeing departments within ministries.
- New Salary: K 19,535,112.00 – K 21,990,708.00
Grade E – Deputy Department Heads
- Senior Deputy (P3): K 17,307,804.00 – K 18,865,488.00
- Deputy (P4): K 14,498,568.00 – K 16,803,828.00
Grade F – Chief Officer
- Senior managerial role within ministries or departments.
- New Salary: K 8,742,900.00 – K 12,497,940.00
Grade G – Principal Officer
- Oversees a section or unit within a department.
- New Salary: K 7,398,648.00 – K 8,401,128.00
Grade H – Senior Officer
- Assists Principal Officers and manages teams within units.
- New Salary: K 6,782,652.00 – K 7,325,172.00
Grade I – Officer and Chief Supervisor
- Handles day-to-day operational tasks and supervises junior staff.
- New Salary: K 5,503,980.00 – K 6,709,500.00
Grade J – Senior Supervisor
- Ensures smooth operation of support functions within departments.
- New Salary: K 4,340,796.00 – K 5,037,576.00
Grade K – Supervisor
- Manages administrative and support functions at a supervisory level.
- New Salary: K 3,508,536.00 – K 4,140,096.00
Grade L – Senior Clerical/Technical Assistant
- Provides clerical and technical support across departments.
- New Salary: K 3,157,008.00 – K 3,240,708.00
Grade M – Clerical/Technical Assistant and Tradesmen
- Involves skilled labor roles and clerical assistance.
- New Salary: K 2,982,756.00 – K 3,072,396.00
Grade N – Senior Subordinate and Industrial Class
- Focused on industrial and subordinate tasks within the civil service.
- New Salary: K 2,890,656.00 – K 2,962,956.00
Grade O – Subordinate Class
- Includes general subordinate duties, often in administrative support.
- New Salary: K 2,777,592.00 – K 2,847,072.00
Grade P – Subordinate Class
- Further refined subordinate roles with varied responsibilities.
- New Salary: K 2,683,728.00 – K 2,750,928.00
Grade Q – Industrial Class
- Primarily skilled industrial work with a focus on technical operations.
- New Salary: K 2,593,776.00 – K 2,658,756.00
Grade R – Industrial Class
- General industrial support roles across ministries.
- New Salary: K 2,509,836.00 – K 2,572,476.00

Teaching Service Salary Grades
The education sector has its unique grading structure that reflects the diverse roles within the teaching service.
Grade D – Heads of Department (Education)
- Responsible for leading academic departments within schools.
- New Salary: K 19,535,112.00 – K 21,990,708.00
Grade E – Deputy Heads (P3 and P4)
- Senior Deputy: K 17,307,804.00 – K 18,865,488.00
- Deputy: K 14,498,568.00 – K 16,803,828.00
Grade F – Chief Officer
- Senior teaching role with additional administrative duties.
- New Salary: K 8,742,900.00 – K 12,497,940.00
Grade G – Principal Officer
- Provides leadership in academic matters and school management.
- New Salary: K 7,398,648.00 – K 8,401,128.00
Grade H – Senior Officer
- Assists with academic programs and oversees school operations.
- New Salary: K 6,782,652.00 – K 7,325,172.00
Health Service Salary Grades
The health sector is another key area within Malawi’s public service, with its own salary scales to reflect various healthcare roles and responsibilities.
Grade C – Head of Ministry (Health)
- Leading health ministry efforts and healthcare policies.
- New Salary: K 23,963,052.00 – K 27,708,456.00
Grade D – Heads of Department (Health)
- Overseeing specialized health departments and medical teams.
- New Salary: K 19,535,112.00 – K 21,990,708.00
Grade E – Deputy Department Heads (P3 and P4)
- Senior Deputy: K 17,307,804.00 – K 18,865,488.00
- Deputy: K 14,498,568.00 – K 16,803,828.00
Grade F – Chief Officer
- Senior role within healthcare, focusing on administration and coordination.
- New Salary: K 8,742,900.00 – K 12,497,940.00
Grade G – Principal Officer
- In charge of healthcare programs and managing medical staff.
- New Salary: K 7,398,648.00 – K 8,401,128.00
Conclusion
The revised salary structure for Malawi’s civil service, teaching, and health sectors offers a clear, hierarchical payment scheme to reflect roles and responsibilities. Understanding these grades is crucial for current and prospective public servants to gauge their career progress and financial expectations in the public sector.
FAQs on Public Service Salary Grades in Malawi
1. What is the highest-paid role in the Malawi civil service?
The Head of Public Service, Grade A, holds the highest-paid role in the civil service, with salaries ranging from K 44,862,300.00 to K 48,899,952.00.
2. How often are civil service salaries reviewed in Malawi?
While there is no fixed schedule, revisions like the 2024 salary update occur based on consultations with relevant unions and government considerations.
3. Are teaching and health services part of the general civil service salary structure?
No, they have their unique grading and salary structures, though they follow similar patterns to the main civil service grades.
4. Are allowances included in the mentioned salaries?
The figures provided are base salaries, and additional allowances may apply depending on the specific role and department.
5. What factors influence salary placement within a grade?
Factors include role seniority, level of responsibility, experience, and specific qualifications pertinent to the role within the civil service.
6. Can salaries vary within a specific grade?
Yes, salaries within the same grade can vary based on incremental pay scales, allowing for growth within the position.
This comprehensive overview of the 2024 revised civil service salaries in Malawi is designed to provide clarity and guidance to individuals navigating the public service employment landscape.