Average Salary in South Africa 2024 – Statistics South Africa’s Employment Report for the last three months of 2023 shows changes in jobs and earnings. During this period, fewer job opportunities were available, and the number of people employed decreased by 194,000.
There was a decrease in job opportunities in sectors including community services, construction, business services, manufacturing, and mining, but an increase in jobs in retail, logistics, and energy.
As part of the report, people are also provided with information about their average monthly income, which is R26,894. In August 2023, this amount rose by 1.6% and 2.3% compared to the previous year. The cost of goods and services has also increased. In January 2024, goods cost 6.6%, and services cost 4.0%.
What is the Average Salary in These Conditions?
According to the exchange rate in April 2024, the average salary in South Africa is 31,100 ZAR (South African Rand) per month, which is equivalent to approximately USD 1665.07. An average salary of 374,000 ZAR or USD 20023.68 is earned annually in South Africa. Employees in the USA earn an average of $1,100 a week, which means they make about $4,400 to $4,500 a month.
On the other hand, workers in the UK earn an average monthly salary of £1,800 to £4,500. These figures show a 1,600% to 1,700% increase in average monthly income when compared with South African earnings. Workers in the UK earn an average monthly income 850% to 2,100% higher than South African workers.
Variations in salaries in South Africa
Median Salary
A median monthly salary of 27,100 ZAR indicates that half of the population earns less than this amount, while the other half earns more.
Salary Range
Salary ranges from 7,880 ZAR to 139,000 ZAR, though actual maximum salaries may be higher based on qualifications and experience.
Annual Salary Increase
There is an average 8% salary increase every 18 months for employees in South Africa, though it varies across industries and levels of experience.
Factors Affecting Salary in South Africa
An employee’s salary in South Africa is influenced by a number of factors, including their educational level, their job type, their work experience, and the sector in which they work (public versus private).
Experience
A new employee (less than 2 years old) starts with a base salary. Early career employees (2-5 years) receive a 32% increase, while mid-career professionals (5-10 years) receive a 36% increase. A modest increase of 21% is experienced by established individuals (10-20 years), and a 9% increase is received by veterans (over 20 years).
Education
Bachelor’s degree holders earn 24% more than diploma holders, Master’s degree holders earn 29% more than those with a Bachelor’s, and Doctorate holders earn 23% more than Master’s degree holders.
City
Depending on the city of employment, salaries differ significantly. In Bloemfontein, the annual average salary is 363,000 ZAR, followed by Cape Town (435,000 ZAR), Durban (415,000 ZAR), Johannesburg (400,000 ZAR), Port Elizabeth (377,000 ZAR), and Pretoria (393,000 ZAR).
Monthly Salary of Professions in South Africa
We’ve created a table to show how much different jobs pay each month in South Africa, so people can gain a better understanding of the job market and career options.
| Profession | Average Monthly Salary (ZAR) |
|---|---|
| Teacher | ZAR 22,593 |
| Mechanical Engineer | ZAR 29,375 |
| Software Engineer & Developer | ZAR 52,375 |
| Nurse (Govt & Private) | ZAR 33,428 (Govt) & ZAR 49,011 (Private) |
| Cyber Security | ZAR 77,083 |
| Civil Engineering | ZAR 54,167 |
| Actuarial Science | ZAR 44,100 |
| Flight Attendant | ZAR 16,500 |
| Chartered Accountant | ZAR 52,875 |
| Department of Labour Salary Schedule Form UIF | ZAR 26,387 (Call Centre Rep) & ZAR 82,306 (Director) |
| Nehawu Salary Increase 2022/23 Update | 7 to 7.5 percent increase |
| Lawyer | ZAR 57,500 |
| Electrical Engineering | ZAR 40,000 |
| Data Scientist | ZAR 76,000 |
| Boilermaker | ZAR 20,000 |
| Medical Doctor | ZAR 60,001 |
| Pilot | ZAR 20,000 |
| Pharmacist | ZAR 45,000 |
| Business Analyst | ZAR 57,293 |
| Neurosurgeon | ZAR 108,759 |
| Architecture | ZAR 100,000 |
| Chemical Engineering | ZAR 45,000 |
| Radiographer | ZAR 40,000 |
| Social Worker | ZAR 19,477 |
| Physiotherapist | ZAR 57,400 |
| Psychologist | ZAR 60,000 |
| Project Manager & Assistant | ZAR 50,000 (Project Manager) & ZAR 22,769 (Assistant) |
| Occupational Therapist | ZAR 32,292 |
| Traffic Cop | ZAR 27,315 |
| Geologist | ZAR 45,000 |
| Dentist | ZAR 35,000 |
| Biomedical Engineering | ZAR 37,500 |
| Takealot Driver | ZAR 10,750 |
| Computer Science | ZAR 25,001 |
| Police (SAPS) | ZAR 27,000 |
| Fitter And Turner | ZAR 25,833 |
| Anesthesiologists | ZAR 16,500 |
| Correctional Services | ZAR 350,000 |
| Cardiologist | ZAR 206,149 |
| Petrol Attendant | ZAR 15,500 |
| HR Manager | ZAR 40,000 |
| Real Estate Agent | ZAR 36,000 |
| Quantity Surveyor | ZAR 30,000 |
| Biokineticist | ZAR 48,250 |
| Safety Officer | ZAR 23,929 |
| Assistant Teacher | ZAR 16,800 |
| Graphic Designer | ZAR 17,500 |
| Educare Employees | ZAR 5,281 |
| Somatology | ZAR 18,000 |
| Financial Advisor, Manager & Economist | ZAR 20,000, ZAR 40,000 & ZAR 222,000 |
| Eskom CEO | ZAR 586,666 |
| Public Management | ZAR 190,000 |
| Health Promotion Officer | ZAR 118,826 |
| Operations Manager | ZAR 46,804 |
| SA Army Salary During Training | ZAR 12,397 |
| Audiologist | ZAR 31,250 |
| Gynecologist | ZAR 16,250 |
| Mining Engineering | ZAR 37,500 |
| Domestic Workers | ZAR 14,300 |
| Artisan | ZAR 29,697 |
| Optometrist | ZAR 27,500 |
| Dermatologist | ZAR 187,830 |
| Marine Biologist | ZAR 13,540 |
| Phlebotomist | ZAR 27,500 |
| Firefighter | ZAR 102,534 |
| Investment Banker | ZAR 24,500 |
| Supply Chain Management | ZAR 173,703 |
| Pediatrician | ZAR 15,000 |
| Digital Marketing Manager | ZAR 40,000 |
| Fashion Designer | ZAR 15,000 |
| Chilton Elderly Care | ZAR 18,000 |
| She Rep | ZAR 35,001 |
| Surgeon | ZAR 49,126 |
Average Salary in South Africa 2024 Conclusion
Average Salary in South Africa 2024 – In 2024, South Africa’s job market is expected to be complex. Retail, logistics, and energy are all expected to grow despite a general decrease in employment opportunities across several sectors. While living costs have increased, the average monthly salary remains at R31,100, reflecting a modest increase. The salaries of South Africans are significantly lower than those of Britain and the United States, highlighting a substantial income gap. Different professions and cities have different salaries based on factors such as experience, education, and location. In order to adapt and plan effectively, both employers and employees need to understand salary dynamics as South Africa navigates these economic conditions.
