The Ethiopian Ministry of Education introduced an updated career structure and salary scale in 1995, establishing a teacher career ladder aimed at improving teacher motivation and job prestige. Several subsequent policy reforms clarified assessment and promotion regulations while also adding several additional levels to the career ladder. This country note was conducted within the framework of an international research project on teacher careers implemented by the UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP). Through a review of past records, focus group discussions, and semi-structured interviews, it provides an in-depth look at the system’s design and the positive initial response from teachers in Ethiopia. It goes on to further analyse the issues hindering the reform’s potential impact to include ongoing management and financial implementation issues combined with continued low levels of teacher pay.