TNPSC Group 4 Salary — Full Post-Wise Breakdown
VAO, Typist, Steno-Typist, Forest Guard, Forest Watcher — city-wise Gross and in-hand salary for every Group 4 post.
At a glance
The lowest Basic Pay in Group 4 is Forest Watcher at ₹16,600 (Level 3). The highest is Steno-Typist Grade III at ₹20,600 (Level 10). VAO, Junior Assistant, and Typist sit in between at Level 8, ₹19,500.
In-Hand Salary by Post (small town tier)
Post & City-Wise Salary Breakdown
Basic Pay is fixed per post, but HRA varies by posting city category. Below is Gross and in-hand salary for each post across three city tiers:
| Post | Level | City Category | Gross (₹) | In-hand (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Watcher | 3 | Small town | 27,060 | 25,864 |
| Forest Watcher | 3 | Corporation | 28,720 | 27,524 |
| Forest Watcher | 3 | Chennai | 32,040 | 29,184 |
| Forest Guard | 5 | Small town | 31,440 | 28,328 |
| Forest Guard | 5 | Corporation | 33,260 | 30,148 |
| Forest Guard | 5 | Chennai | 35,080 | 31,968 |
| Field Assistant | 6 | Small town | 31,950 | 28,790 |
| Field Assistant | 6 | Corporation | 33,800 | 30,640 |
| Field Assistant | 6 | Chennai | 35,650 | 32,490 |
| VAO / Jr. Assistant / Typist | 8 | Small town | 33,650 | 30,330 |
| VAO / Jr. Assistant / Typist | 8 | Corporation | 35,600 | 32,280 |
| VAO / Jr. Assistant / Typist | 8 | Chennai | 37,550 | 34,230 |
| Steno-Typist Grade III | 10 | Small town | 35,520 | 32,024 |
| Steno-Typist Grade III | 10 | Corporation | 37,580 | 34,084 |
| Steno-Typist Grade III | 10 | Chennai | 39,640 | 36,144 |
Gross = Basic Pay + DA (currently 60%) + HRA (small town 10% / corporation 20% / Chennai 30%) + minor allowances (₹500 approx.). In-hand = Gross − NPS deduction (10% of Basic+DA) − Professional Tax (₹200 approx.).
Promotion Paths
Each Group 4 post has its own promotion path, through seniority and departmental exams:
- VAO → Revenue Inspector → Deputy Tahsildar → Tahsildar
- Junior Assistant / Typist → Assistant → Superintendent (standard Ministerial Service promotion track)
- Steno-Typist Grade III → Steno-Typist Grade II → Grade I
- Forest Guard / Forest Watcher → Forest Ranger-level departmental responsibilities (requires a departmental exam)
How long promotion takes depends on vacancies and seniority — TNPSC doesn't announce exact timelines. We'll add verified Pay Level figures for higher posts once confirmed.
How Much Can You Save Each Month?
Based on VAO/Typist's (Level 8) in-hand salary in a small town (₹30,330) — approximate savings by living situation:
- Living with family, commuting to work
- Save roughly ₹18,000 - ₹20,000 a month
- Living alone in a rented place
- Save roughly ₹10,000 - ₹13,000 a month
For lower-paying posts like Forest Watcher/Forest Guard, these figures run roughly ₹3,000-4,000 lower. This is our own approximate estimate.
Next Steps
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Group 4 post pays the most?
Steno-Typist Grade III has the highest Basic Pay (₹20,600, Level 10). VAO, Junior Assistant, and Typist are at Level 8 (₹19,500) — the next tier. Forest Watcher (Level 3, ₹16,600) has the lowest Basic Pay.
What is the in-hand salary for Group 4 posts?
It varies by post and city category, from ₹25,864 (Forest Watcher, small town) to ₹36,144 (Steno-Typist Grade III, Chennai).
Do Forest Guard and Forest Watcher earn less than other Group 4 posts?
Yes. Forest Watcher is at Level 3 and Forest Guard at Level 5 — lower Pay Levels than VAO/Typist (Level 8) and Steno-Typist (Level 10).
Is there a promotion path in Group 4 posts?
Yes. Through seniority and departmental exams, each post has its own path to the next tier — for example, VAO to Revenue Inspector, or Junior Assistant to Assistant.