South African Salaries: What do Professionals Earn?

Hannah Maidment September 25, 2018
south african salaries

How much you will earn one day is becoming a big part of choosing what to study.  This article will give you a breakdown of South African salaries and what different people earn in different industries.

With South Africa’s economic climate becoming more hostile every day, financial security is a big consideration when deciding which field you want to enter into. What you’ll earn one day depends on a lot of different things:  where you’ll work (location, location, location), which industry you’ll work in and what position in the industry you choose to fill.

Below is a summary of what you can expect to earn monthly, within different industries (these are averages based on research within a small pool of participants, South African salaries can differ significantly in different situations):

Admin, Office & Support

  • Admin Clerk
    • Intermediate: R10 000 – R13 000
    • Senior: R11 000 – R14 000
  • HR Officer
    • Intermediate: R20 000 – R25 000
    • Senior: R25 000 – R30 000
  • Customer Support
    • Intermediate: R12 000 – R15 000
    • Senior: R13 000 – R18 000
  • Call Centre Operator
    • Intermediate: R10 000 – R12 000
    • Senior: R12 000 – R19 000
  • Secretary
    • Intermediate: R14 000 – R18 000
    • Senior: R20 000 – R25 000
  • Management
    • Intermediate: R20 000 – R30 000
    • Senior: R25 000 – R35 000

Beauty

Beautician

  • Intermediate: R5 000 – R8 000
  • Senior: R6 000 – R12 000

Design, Media & Arts

  • Industrial Design
    • Intermediate: R17 000 – R25 000
    • Senior: R13 000 – R33 000
  • Interior Design
    • Intermediate: R30 000 – R60 000
    • Senior: R18 000 – R25 000
  • Graphic Design
    • Intermediate: R16 000 – 20 000
    • Senior: R21 000 – R30 000
    • Senior: R24 000 – R34 000
  • Photography
    • Intermediate: R11 000 – R20 000
    • Senior: R20 000 – R30 000
  • Journalism
    • Intermediate: R20 000 – R27 000
    • Senior: R25 000 – R34 000

Quantity Surveying

  • Quantity Surveying
    • Intermediate: R25 000 – R37 000
    • Senior: R30 000 – R50 000
  • Foreman
    • Intermediate: R15 000 – R25 000
    • Senior: R33 000 – R42 000
  • Construction Manager
    • Intermediate: R30 000 – R60 000
    • Senior: R54 000 – R63 000

Education & Training

  • Teacher
    • Intermediate: R15 000 – R20 000
    • Senior: R20 000 – R25 000
  • Headmaster
    • Intermediate: R28 000 – R41 000
    • Senior: R41 000 – R53 000

Business & Management

  • Financial Manager
    • Intermediate: R40 000 – R50 000
    • Senior: R5 000 – R63 000
  • Project Manager
    • Intermediate: R37 000 – R50 000
    • Senior: R50 000 – R60 000

Science & Technology

  • Laboratory Technician
    • Intermediate: R13 000 – R16 000
    • Senior: R16 000 – R20 000
  • Laboratory Assistant
    • Intermediate: R8 000 – R13 000
    • Senior: R13 000 – R16 000

Warehousing & Logistics

  • Warehouse Operations
    • Intermediate: R11 000 – R13 000
    • Senior: R15 000 – R20 000
  • Dispatch and Receiving
    • Intermediate: R11 000 – R14 000
    • Senior: R54 000 – R63 000
  • Freight
    • Intermediate: R12 000 – R14 000
    • Senior: R15 000 – R17 000
  • Route Management
    • Intermediate: R11 000 – R13 000
    • Senior: R13 000 – R19 000

Information Technology

  • Software Developer
    • Intermediate: R33 000 – R43 000
    • Senior: R43 000 – R53 000
  • Systems Analyst
    • Intermediate: R32 000 – R42 000
    • Senior: R43 000 – R52 000
  • Database Developer
    • Intermediate: R33 000 – R42 000
    • Senior: R39 000 – R48 000
  • System Administrator
    • Intermediate: R21 000 – R27 000
    • Senior: R29 000 – R39 000
  • Data Analyst
    • Intermediate: R33 000 – R44 000
    • Senior: R39 000 – R47 000

Engineering & Architecture

  • Architect
    • Intermediate: R20 000 – R32 000
    • Senior: R33 000 – R45 000
  • Civil Engineer
    • Intermediate: R30 000 – R46 000
    • Senior: R48 000 – R63 000
  • Chemical Engineer
    • Intermediate: R25 000 – R40 000
    • Senior: R40 000 – R58 000
  • Electrical Engineer
    • Intermediate: R33 000 – R44 000
    • Senior: R40 000 – R53 000
  • Electronic Engineer
    • Intermediate: R25 000 – R40 000
    • Senior: R40 000 – R54 000
  • Industrial Engineer
    • Intermediate: R40 000 – R48 000
    • Senior: R43 000 – R53 000
  • Mechanical Engineer
    • Intermediate: R33 000 – R45 000
    • Senior: R46 000 – R58 000
  • Mining Engineer
    • Intermediate: R35 000 – R50 000
    • Senior: R50 000 – R80 000
  • Engineering Technician
    • Intermediate: R20 000 – R28 000
    • Senior: R26 000 – R33 000
  • Draftsman
    • Intermediate: R19 000 – R26 000
    • Senior: R20 000 – R27 000

Legal

  • Advocate
    • Intermediate: R35 000 – R66 000
    • Senior: R66 000 – R80 000
  • Attorney
    • Intermediate: R20 000 – R30 000
    • Senior: R30 000 – R50 000
  • Legal Assistant
    • Intermediate: R25 000 – R30 000
    • Senior: R40 000 – R45 000

Finance

  • Bookkeeper
    • Intermediate: R14 000 – R19 000
    • Senior: R17 000 – R24 000
  • Accountant
    • Intermediate: R33 000 – R45 000
    • Senior: R35 000 – R47 000
  • Chartered Accountant
    • Intermediate: R41 000 – R48 000
    • Senior: R48 000 – R53 000
  • Auditor
    • Intermediate: R30 000 – R38 000
    • Senior: R39 000 – R47 000
  • Corporate Lending
    • Intermediate: R42 000 – R60 000
    • Senior: R50 000 – R75 000
  • Credit Management
    • Intermediate: R25 000 – R32 000
    • Senior: R32 000 – R40 000
  • Financial Analyst
    • Intermediate: R43 000 – R52 000
    • Senior: R45 000 – R52 000
  • Risk Analyst
    • Intermediate: R40 000 – R44 000
    • Senior: R42 000 – R52 000
  • Investment Manager
    • Intermediate: R25 000 – R37 000
    • Senior: R34 000 – R44 000
  • Asset Manager
    • Intermediate: R31 000 – R38 000
    • Senior: R36 000 – R46 000
  • Portfolio Manager
    • Intermediate: R25 000 – R34 000
    • Senior: R27 000 – R35 000
  • Treasury Manager
    • Intermediate: R35 000 – R40 000
    • Senior: R45 000 – R48 000
  • Actuary
    • Intermediate: R28 000 – R37 000
    • Senior: R40 000 – R50 000
  • Claims Assessor
    • Intermediate: R15 000 – R20 000
    • Senior: R23 000 – R30 000
  • Financial Services Consultant
    • Intermediate: R11 000 – R22 000
    • Senior: R20 000 – R25 000

Marketing & Sales

  • Brand Management
    • Intermediate: R24 000 – R30 000
    • Senior: R33 000 – R40 000
  • Product Management
    • Intermediate: R26 000 – R33 000
    • Senior: R31 000 – R40 000
  • Research and Analysis
    • Intermediate: R25 000 – R34 000
    • Senior: R29 000 – R39 000
  • Advertising
    • Intermediate: R17 000 – R25 000
    • Senior: R25 000 – R34 000
  • Communications and PR
    • Intermediate: R22 000 – R26 000
    • Senior: R30 000 – R41 000
  • Representative and Sales Consulting
    • Intermediate: R15 000 – R22 000
    • Senior: R22 000 – R29 000
  • Telesales and Telemarketing
    • Intermediate: R12 000 – R18 000
    • Senior: R23 000 – R30 000

Medical

  • Registered Nurse
    • Intermediate: R17 000 – R22 000
    • Senior: R22 000 – R27 000
  • Pharmacist
    • Intermediate: R33 000 – R42 000
    • Senior: R42 000 – R50 000
  • General Practitioner
    • Intermediate: R40 000 – R54 000
    • Senior: R54 000 – R66 000
  • Physician
    • Intermediate: R45 000 – R70 000
    • Senior: R70 000 – R100 000

Emergency Services

  • Police Officer
    • Intermediate: R13 000 – R18 000
    • Senior: R18 000 – R24 000
  • Security Guard
    • Intermediate: R2 000 – R5 000
    • Senior: R5 000 – R8 000
  • Paramedic
    • Intermediate: R12 000 – R20 000
    • Senior: R20 000 – R30 000

Manufacturing & Assembly

  • Artisan
    • Intermediate: R16 000 – R23 000
    • Senior: R23 000 – R27 000
  • Machinist
    • Intermediate: R17 000 – R23 000
    • Senior: R20 000 – R28 000
  • Plant and Production Control
    • Intermediate: R23 000 – R28 000
    • Senior: R24 000 – R32 000
  • Process Control
    • Intermediate: R20 000 – R26 000
    • Senior: R27 000 – R30 000
  • Quality Control
    • Intermediate: R17 000 – R23 000
    • Senior: R21 000 – R28 000

Hospitality

  • Chef
    • Intermediate: R12 000 – R16 000
    • Senior: R15 000 – R23 000
  • Waiter
    • Intermediate: R3 000 – R5 000
    • Senior: R5 000 – R8 000
  • Restaurant Manager
    • Intermediate: R9 000 – R13 000
    • Senior: R13 000 – R18 000
  • Hotel Manager
    • Intermediate: R14 000 – R23 000
    • Senior: R23 000 – R67 000

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So, What Will YOU Earn?

As you can see, the amount that you earn depends on what industry you’re working in, what job you’re performing and how senior you are within your company. Remember: what you study should not only be based on what you earn, but rather on what you enjoy and excel at. When choosing what to study, it is a good idea to choose what industry you wish to work in, what your aspirations are, where your passions lie and whether money is the deciding fact, and then consider the earning prospects of different careers within the industry.

Another thing to keep in mind is that entrepreneurship is on the rise. Many of these careers, when looked at in a freelancing or entrepreneurship context, will allow you the ability to earn more as you are your own boss and you have the ability to decide how much effort and work you wish to put in.

Hard work pays off after all.

EduConnect 2Cents

If you are trying to decide what to study or trying to choose between two fields, try and find someone to job shadow to find out what it’s like to work within a specific industry.  EduConnect has loads of advice on choosing what to study, where to study and deciding what career path suits you best.

Categories: Ready to Work, Workplace Resources
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Hannah Maidment
Hannah is currently in her second year of her BSc Mathematics at Tuks. She has an interest in quantitative and statistical analysis, and hopes to go on to pursue post graduate degrees. Her qualification will be put to good use to fund her love of travel and shopping. Hannah is a keen foodie and a discerning coffee drinker, she is considerably more approachable after her first cup of coffee.

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