Every government job advertisement in Pakistan mentions a BPS grade but that number alone tells you almost nothing about what you'll actually earn. The basic pay listed in the pay scale chart is just the foundation. Your real monthly salary is the result of basic pay plus house rent allowance, medical allowance, conveyance allowance, ad-hoc relief, and other benefits minus deductions like GP Fund and income tax.
This page gives you the complete picture: the official Revised Basic Pay Scales 2026 (RBPS-2026) chart for every grade from BPS-1 to BPS-22, how each allowance is calculated, real worked examples of gross and take-home salary, and the deductions that reduce your final deposit.
If you're new to the government hiring system, start with the complete guide to government jobs in Pakistan and come back here for the salary detail.
What Changed in the 2026 Pay Revision
The Government of Pakistan issued the Revised Basic Pay Scales 2026 through a Ministry of Finance Office Memorandum (No. F.1(2)IMP/2026) dated 21 July 2026, effective from 1 July 2026. Here's what happened:
Merger: The Ad-hoc Relief Allowance 2022 (15% of BPS-2017 basic) and Ad-hoc Relief Allowance 2025 (10% of BPS-2022 basic) were permanently merged into basic pay. Both allowances no longer exist as separate line items. This raised every grade's basic pay by approximately 20–25%.
New ARA 2026: A fresh 7% Ad-hoc Relief Allowance 2026 was introduced on the new RBPS-2026 running basic pay.
Conveyance: Conveyance allowance was increased by 50% across all BPS-1 to BPS-22.
DRA 2026: A 15% Disparity Reduction Allowance was introduced for eligible categories of employees.
Important (widely missed): Paragraph 7 of the same OM freezes all percentage-based allowances including House Rent Allowance at the level admissible on 30 June 2026.
This means HRA is still calculated on the old BPS-2022 basis, not on the higher merged RBPS-2026 basic pay. The gross salary tables below reflect this freeze.
To understand how these salaries are taxed, see the income tax guide for salaried persons.
BPS Pay Scale Chart 2026 - Basic Pay (BPS-1 to BPS-22)
This is the official RBPS-2026 chart. Minimum pay is your starting salary. Annual increment is added every December. Maximum pay is the ceiling after all stages.
Grade | Min Pay (Rs) | Increment (Rs) | Max Pay (Rs) | Stages | Typical Posts |
BPS-1 | 16,280 | 530 | 32,520 | 30 | Naib Qasid, Peon |
BPS-2 | 16,760 | 560 | 33,560 | 30 | Daftari, Mali |
BPS-3 | 17,290 | 590 | 34,960 | 30 | Chowkidar, Helper |
BPS-4 | 17,860 | 620 | 36,460 | 30 | Dispatch Rider, Jr Clerk |
BPS-5 | 18,490 | 660 | 38,260 | 30 | Driver (LTV), Sr Clerk |
BPS-6 | 19,130 | 700 | 40,110 | 30 | Telephone Operator |
BPS-7 | 19,840 | 750 | 42,340 | 30 | Cook, Dak Runner |
BPS-8 | 20,620 | 800 | 44,620 | 30 | Steno Typist (lower) |
BPS-9 | 21,470 | 870 | 47,570 | 30 | LDC, Junior Auditor |
BPS-10 | 22,450 | 950 | 50,950 | 30 | Sub-Inspector (lower) |
BPS-11 | 23,530 | 1,020 | 54,130 | 30 | UDC, Junior Accountant |
BPS-12 | 24,690 | 1,110 | 57,990 | 30 | Supervisor, Draftsman |
BPS-13 | 25,960 | 1,200 | 61,960 | 30 | Sub-Engineer, Overseer |
BPS-14 | 27,370 | 1,300 | 66,370 | 30 | Data Entry Operator |
BPS-15 | 28,970 | 1,410 | 71,270 | 30 | Head Clerk, Sr Assistant |
BPS-16 | 30,740 | 1,530 | 76,640 | 30 | Inspector, Superintendent |
BPS-17 | 54,140 | 2,320 | 123,740 | 30 | Asst Director, Lecturer |
BPS-18 | 68,750 | 2,940 | 156,950 | 30 | Deputy Director, AC |
BPS-19 | 87,290 | 3,730 | 199,190 | 30 | Director, Commissioner |
BPS-20 | 110,790 | 4,740 | 252,990 | 30 | Addl Secretary, DIG |
BPS-21 | 128,920 | 5,520 | 294,520 | 30 | Secretary, IG Police |
BPS-22 | 146,770 | 6,290 | 335,470 | 30 | Federal / Chief Secretary |
Source: Ministry of Finance OM No. F.1(2)IMP/2026, dated 21 July 2026. Effective 1 July 2026. Figures are basic pay only.
How Government Allowances Work
Basic pay is the starting point. The government adds several allowances on top some as a percentage of basic pay, others as fixed amounts. Here's every major component:
For the complete government hiring structure and how BPS grades determine your career path, see the complete guide to government jobs in Pakistan.
House Rent Allowance (HRA)
The single biggest addition to your salary. Calculated as a percentage of basic pay, the rate depends on your posting city:
A-category cities (Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Faisalabad): 45% of basic pay.
B-category cities (other district headquarters and major towns): 30% of basic pay.
Other areas: 15% of basic pay.
Note: Under the 2026 revision, HRA is frozen at the level admissible on 30 June 2026 (i.e. calculated on BPS-2022 basic pay). This freeze means HRA did not rise with the merged RBPS-2026 basic pay.
Ad-hoc Relief Allowance 2026 (ARA-2026)
7% of running basic pay under RBPS-2026. This is the only new percentage-based allowance that uses the revised 2026 basic pay as its base.
Conveyance Allowance
A fixed monthly amount for transport, varying by grade band. Increased by 50% in the 2026 budget. Approximate post-revision rates:
BPS-1 to BPS-4: Rs 2,250/month
BPS-5 to BPS-11: Rs 3,000/month
BPS-12 to BPS-16: Rs 4,500/month
BPS-17 to BPS-18: Rs 5,250/month
BPS-19 to BPS-22: Rs 8,250/month (or official vehicle)
Medical Allowance
A fixed monthly amount. Rates vary by grade and notification:
BPS-1 to BPS-4: Rs 1,500–2,500
BPS-5 to BPS-15: Rs 3,000–5,000
BPS-16 to BPS-18: Rs 5,000–8,000
BPS-19 to BPS-22: Rs 8,000–15,000
Disparity Reduction Allowance (DRA-2026)
15% but only for employee categories already receiving DRA, on existing terms. Not universally applicable.
Other allowances (post- and department-specific):
Utility Allowance - for electricity and gas bills, varies by department.
Washing Allowance - for uniformed services (police, customs, etc.).
Special Pay - for technical, hard-area, or sensitive posts.
Orderly Allowance - for BPS-17 and above in certain departments.
Estimated Gross Salary Table - BPS-1 to BPS-22 (A-Category City)
This table shows approximate monthly gross salary for a newly appointed employee posted in an A-category city (Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi). These are estimates actual amounts vary by department, specific posting, and individual allowances.
Grade | Basic Pay | HRA (45%) | ARA 7% | Convey. | Medical | Other* | Approx Gross |
BPS-1 | 16,280 | 7,326 | 1,140 | 2,250 | 1,500 | 1,000 | 29,500 |
BPS-4 | 17,860 | 8,037 | 1,250 | 2,250 | 2,000 | 1,000 | 32,400 |
BPS-7 | 19,840 | 8,928 | 1,389 | 3,000 | 3,000 | 1,500 | 37,700 |
BPS-9 | 21,470 | 9,662 | 1,503 | 3,000 | 3,500 | 1,500 | 40,600 |
BPS-11 | 23,530 | 10,589 | 1,647 | 3,000 | 4,000 | 1,500 | 44,300 |
BPS-14 | 27,370 | 12,317 | 1,916 | 4,500 | 5,000 | 2,000 | 53,100 |
BPS-16 | 30,740 | 13,833 | 2,152 | 4,500 | 5,000 | 2,500 | 58,700 |
BPS-17 | 54,140 | 24,363 | 3,790 | 5,250 | 8,000 | 3,000 | 98,500 |
BPS-18 | 68,750 | 30,938 | 4,813 | 5,250 | 8,000 | 5,000 | 1,22,750 |
BPS-19 | 87,290 | 39,281 | 6,110 | 8,250 | 10,000 | 5,000 | 1,55,930 |
BPS-20 | 110,790 | 49,856 | 7,755 | 8,250 | 10,000 | 8,000 | 1,94,650 |
BPS-21 | 128,920 | 58,014 | 9,024 | 8,250 | 12,000 | 10,000 | 2,26,200 |
BPS-22 | 146,770 | 66,047 | 10,274 | 8,250 | 15,000 | 12,000 | 2,58,300 |
'Other' includes estimated utility, washing, or departmental allowances these vary. HRA calculated at 45% of basic for A-category city. All figures in Rs per month. Gross is before deductions.
Source: RBPS-2026 (Finance Division), conveyance revision OM, and current allowance rates. Approximate verify with your department's pay section.
Deductions: What Comes Out of Your Gross Salary
Your take-home salary is gross minus deductions. The three main ones:
General Provident Fund (GP Fund): Mandatory savings deduction, typically 10% of basic pay. This money accumulates with interest and is returned to you at retirement or resignation it's savings, not a tax.
Contributory Pension Fund (CPF): For employees joining after 1 July 2024 under the new pension system (Punjab and Federal), 10% of basic pay is deducted as pension contribution. The government matches it.
Income tax: Deducted at source based on annual income tax slabs. For most BPS-1 to BPS-15 employees, the tax liability is minimal or zero. For BPS-17 and above, it depends on total taxable income.
Benevolent Fund: A small monthly deduction (Rs 100–500 depending on grade) for the Benevolent Fund, which provides grants for medical emergencies and financial hardship.
You can calculate the exact income tax on your BPS salary using the site's income tax calculator.
Worked Examples: From Gross to Take-Home
Let's walk through three real examples at different grade levels all for newly appointed employees in A-category cities.
Example 1: Junior Accountant - BPS-11 (Islamabad)
Component | Amount (Rs/month) |
Basic pay (starting) | 23,530 |
HRA (45% of basic) | 10,589 |
ARA-2026 (7% of basic) | 1,647 |
Conveyance allowance | 3,000 |
Medical allowance | 4,000 |
Gross salary | 42,766 |
Minus: GP Fund (10% of basic) | (2,353) |
Minus: Income tax | Nil (below taxable threshold) |
Approximate take-home | 40,400 |
Example 2: Assistant Director / Lecturer - BPS-17 (Lahore)
Component | Amount (Rs/month) |
Basic pay (starting) | 54,140 |
HRA (45% of basic) | 24,363 |
ARA-2026 (7% of basic) | 3,790 |
Conveyance allowance | 5,250 |
Medical allowance | 8,000 |
Other allowances (est.) | 3,000 |
Gross salary | 98,543 |
Minus: GP Fund (10% of basic) | (5,414) |
Minus: Benevolent fund | (300) |
Minus: Income tax (approx.) | (minimal - depends on slab) |
Approximate take-home | 90,000 – 95,000 |
Example 3: Additional Secretary - BPS-20 (Islamabad)
Component | Amount (Rs/month) |
Basic pay (starting) | 110,790 |
HRA (45% of basic) | 49,856 |
ARA-2026 (7% of basic) | 7,755 |
Conveyance / official vehicle | 8,250 |
Medical allowance | 10,000 |
Other allowances (orderly, utility) | 8,000 |
Gross salary | 1,94,651 |
Minus: GP Fund (10% of basic) | (11,079) |
Minus: Income tax (approx.) | (8,000–12,000) |
Approximate take-home | 1,72,000 – 1,76,000 |
These are estimates for newly appointed employees at starting basic pay. Employees with years of service will have higher basic pay (due to annual increments), and proportionally higher allowances and take-home.
Annual Increment: How Your Salary Grows Every Year
Every government employee receives an annual increment a fixed amount added to basic pay on 1 December each year. You need at least six months of continuous service in that calendar year to qualify.
The increment is a fixed rupee amount per grade (shown in the chart above), not a percentage. Since allowances like HRA and ARA are calculated as a percentage of basic pay, every increment raises your entire salary package not just the basic component.
Example of growth over time (BPS-17, Lahore):
Year | Basic Pay (Rs) | Est. Gross (Rs) | Est. Take-Home (Rs) |
Year 1 (joining) | 54,140 | 98,500 | 90,000 |
Year 5 | 63,420 | 1,15,000 | 1,05,000 |
Year 10 | 74,620 | 1,35,000 | 1,23,000 |
Year 15 | 85,820 | 1,55,000 | 1,40,000 |
Year 20 | 97,020 | 1,76,000 | 1,58,000 |
Maximum (30 stages) | 123,740 | 2,25,000 | 2,00,000 |
Estimates assume A-category city, no mid-career pay scale revision, and current allowance rates frozen. Actual figures will be higher due to periodic government revisions and additional budget-year allowances.
Federal vs Provincial Pay Scales: Is There a Difference?
The basic BPS structure is the same across federal and provincial governments. However, provinces add their own specific allowances on top:
Your posting province is determined by your domicile - see domicile and PRC certificate - documents, fee, process.
Punjab: Follows federal BPS closely. Adds Punjab-specific Integrated Allowance, Special Relief Allowance, and Senior Post Allowance. Contributory Pension Fund for new employees from July 2024.
Sindh: Similar structure with Sindh-specific additions. HRA rates may differ slightly.
KP: Broadly mirrors federal with KP-specific hardship allowances for certain areas.
Balochistan: HRA can be up to 50% for Quetta. Additional hardship and frontier allowances for remote postings.
In practice, total gross salaries across federal and provincial services tend to be in a similar range the base structure is the same, even when specific allowances differ.
Pension: The Benefit That Changes the Equation
Government salary discussions rarely include pension but it's the single biggest financial advantage over the private sector. After completing qualifying service (generally 25 years, or at superannuation age of 60), government employees receive a monthly pension for life.
Pension is calculated based on your last drawn basic pay. The government also increased pensions by 7% effective 1 July 2026. A BPS-17 officer retiring after 30 years of service can expect a monthly pension of Rs 50,000–80,000+ depending on their final basic pay paid every month for the rest of their life, and adjusted upwards with future government revisions.
When comparing a government BPS-17 salary of Rs 95,000/month to a private sector offer of Rs 1,50,000/month, factor in that the private sector job likely offers no pension, no subsidised medical coverage, and no job security guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the salary of BPS-17 in Pakistan in 2026?
Under RBPS-2026, the starting basic pay for BPS-17 is Rs 54,140. With all allowances in an A-category city (Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi), the gross monthly salary is approximately Rs 95,000 1,20,000. Take-home after deductions is roughly Rs 90,000–1,10,000 for a new appointee.
Q: What is the difference between basic pay and gross salary?
Basic pay is the amount listed in the BPS grade chart. Gross salary is basic pay plus all allowances HRA, medical, conveyance, ARA, and others. Gross is typically 50–80% higher than basic pay depending on grade and city.
Q: Did HRA increase with the 2026 pay revision?
No. Paragraph 7 of the Finance Division OM (21 July 2026) freezes percentage-based allowances, including HRA, at the level admissible on 30 June 2026. HRA is still calculated on the BPS-2022 basis, not the higher RBPS-2026 basic pay.
Q: When do government employees get their annual increment?
On 1 December every year, provided the employee has completed at least six months of continuous service in that calendar year.
Q: What is GP Fund? Is it a deduction or a benefit?
GP Fund (General Provident Fund) is a mandatory savings scheme typically 10% of basic pay. The amount accumulates with interest and is paid back to you in full at retirement or resignation. It's your money, held in trust not a tax.
Q: How does government salary compare to the private sector?
For IT, software, and technical roles, the private sector generally pays more. For administration, law, education, and public management, government service is competitive once you factor in pension, medical coverage, job security, and automatic annual increments.
What to Read Next
This pay scale chart is part of the government jobs cluster. For related topics:
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Article Details
Category: Guides
Published:
Updated:
Author: Usama Haider
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