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# ​​Average Salary in South Africa

**By:** Krissy Davis

**Published:** October 19, 2023

## What is the average salary in South Africa?

Avg. salary per year

303,648 ZAR

2022

Avg. salary per month

25,304 ZAR

2022

According to Stats SA and their quarterly employment survey (QES), the average income in South Africa is (gross) **R303,648** per year or **R25,304** per month. This quarter's data shows a 2.7% decrease from the previous quarter and a 6.8% increase from the first quarter of 2022.

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## What is a good salary in South Africa?

A good salary in South Africa depends on a number of factors, including your experience, education, industry, location and lifestyle. However, according to data from [Numbeo](https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=South+Africa), a salary of R30,000 or more per month is considered to be good. This income would allow you to live comfortably in a major city like Johannesburg or Cape Town and have some money left to save or invest.

Of course, there are many people in South Africa who earn less than R30,000 per month, especially in rural areas. This figure is 18.55% more than the average salary levels in South Africa.

The salaries below have been sourced from [Salary Expert](https://www.salaryexpert.com/) and [Payscale](https://www.payscale.com/).

## Average salary in South Africa by city

| City | Average Annual Net Salary | Population |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cape Town | R269,000 | 4.6 million |
| Johannesburg | R295,000 | 6.8 million |
| Durban | R226,000 | 4 million |
| Pretoria | R252,000 | 2.8 million |
| Port Elizabeth | R212,000 | 970,000 |
| Vereeniging | R194,000 | 99,000 |
| East London | R296,429 | 270,000 |
| Bloemfontein | R187,000 | 260,000 |
| Kimberley | R203,000 | 230,000 |
| Pietermaritzburg | R203,000 | 840,000 |
| Polokwane | R190,000 | 130,000 |
| Mbombela | R215,000 | 760,000 |

From the data above, it’s clear that cities with higher populations yield higher earnings. However, this trend is not specific to South Africa but is observed worldwide.

## Average salary in South Africa by industry

The South African job market is highly dynamic, with the most in-demand industries constantly changing. However, some industries have remained consistently popular over the years.

| Industry | Average Annual Net Salary |
| --- | --- |
| Information Technology | R302,000 |
| Healthcare | R275,000 |
| Finance | R398,000 |
| Engineering | R589,187 |
| Education | R237,000 |

‍

## Average salary in South Africa by Profession

Understanding the average salary of a particular industry can be a useful starting point, but it doesn’t always provide a comprehensive overview. So, we’ve delved deeper to offer a more detailed breakdown of the most in-demand occupations within each industry, along with their corresponding average salaries.

## 1. Information Technology

IT is a rapidly growing industry in South Africa, with a high demand for qualified IT professionals. This high demand is driven by several factors, including the digitisation of businesses and the increasing reliance on technology.

| Profession | Average Annual Net Salary |
| --- | --- |
| Software Developer | R474,250 |
| Data Scientist | R451,297 |
| Cybersecurity Expert | R376,000 |
| Cloud Engineer | R626,000 |

‍  
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## 2. Healthcare

South Africa has a healthcare system that covers everyone, regardless of their financial status. Due to the country's significant healthcare disparities and high disease burden, there is a considerable demand for healthcare professionals. Implementing the National Health Insurance (NHI) has further increased the demand for healthcare services.

| Profession | Average Annual Net Salary |
| --- | --- |
| Doctor | R585,811 |
| Registered Nurse | R258,309 |
| Pharmacist | R482,211 |
| Physiotherapist | R283,769 |

‍

## 3. Finance

South Africa is a significant financial hub in Africa, and there is a considerable demand for finance professionals in the country. The financial sector in South Africa is well-established and varied, providing an array of opportunities.

| Profession | Average Annual Net Salary |
| --- | --- |
| Accountant | R290,925 |
| Auditor | R308,673 |
| Financial Analyst | R378,687 |
| Investment Banker | R486,961 |

‍

## 4. Engineering

The engineering sector plays a crucial role in driving South Africa's economy, especially in areas like mining, infrastructure development, and renewable energy. The demand for engineers continuously increases as the country invests in major projects and expands its industrial base.

| Profession | Average Annual Net Salary |
| --- | --- |
| Civil Engineer | R359,367 |
| Mechanical Engineer | R350,432 |
| Electrical Engineer | R374,813 |

‍

## 5. Education

South Africa's high demand for educators is influenced by various factors, including the country's young population and the government's dedication to enhancing education accessibility. As a result, there’s a growing need for educators from early childhood to tertiary institutions.

| Profession | Average Annual Net Salary |
| --- | --- |
| High School Teacher | R235,305 |
| Lecturer | R295,905 |
| Professor | R1,119,101 |

‍

## Average salary in South Africa by the highest-paid profession

Although the average salary in South Africa is on the lower end of the global income scale, some professions within the country offer high wages.

| Profession | Average Annual Net Salary |
| --- | --- |
| Chartered Accountant | R498,829 |
| Neurosurgeon | R883,353 |
| Corporate Lawyer | R540,000 |
| Orthopedic Surgeon | R829,102 |
| Cardiothoracic Surgeon | R836,228 |

It's worth noting that salaries can vary widely within each profession. This depends on factors like the job title, experience, and location. For instance, a senior accountant with a decade of experience will generally earn a higher salary than, say, a junior lawyer without experience.

## Average Income in South Africa compared to other countries

To provide a broader perspective on South Africa’s economic well-being, let’s compare salary levels in South Africa to those of other countries around the world.

| Country | Avg. Salary | % Difference |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The United States | R1,106,667.29 | 114.02% more |
| UK | R725,688.97 | 82.03% more |
| Singapore | R962,162.75 | 103.9% more |
| Japan | R606,281.15 | 66.5% more |
| Russia | R276,948.13 | 9.2% less |
| Mexico | R562,365 | 59.76% more |
| Australia | R1,086,284.13 | 112.53% more |



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