Top 18 Highest Paying Jobs In South Africa?
What are the highest paying jobs and careers in South Africa?
You may better plan your future while pursuing a career if you are aware of the highest paid jobs in South Africa.
When picking a career path, factors like your excitement for the industry and if the job matches your skills are just as crucial as the money component of the profession.
It would be silly to seek a career just for financial benefit; one must also be able to appreciate what they do.
The top twenty highest-paying jobs in South Africa for the year 2023 are shown below.
Depending on your job experience, talents, and credentials, your earnings will vary.
You might learn some financial information about a career that interests you by looking through this list.
The labor market in South Africa is changing quickly due to the emigration of workers from that country to countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
We considered both the compensation and the quantity of persons engaged in the industry while compiling the ranking.
Software Engineer
The software developers are ranked at position 12.
Despite being young, this profession is expanding quickly and is in high demand right now.
Most software engineers are computer science and programming graduates.
Some of them are self taught, through online course on Udemy.
They are in charge of creating, administering, and designing computer software.
An entry-level software engineer may expect to make R280K per year on average.
The typical salary for a mid-level software engineer with 5 to 9 years of experience is R509K per year.
A software developer with ten to nineteen years of experience makes, on average, R640K a year.
In South Africa, a software engineer makes an average salary of R509, 000.00.
IT Managers
In South Africa, an IT manager has an average salary of R315, 000.00.
Technology careers have gained traction in the employment market as our environment becomes increasingly digital.
The occupation is among the highest paying and is also in high demand.
All tech-related functions in a corporation must be managed by IT managers.
Due to the complete digitization of all business practices, IT managers now play a significant role in organizations.
An education in information and technology is required to become an IT manager.
The level of industry experience a manager of information technology has an impact on their pay as well.
The average annual salary for an entry-level IT manager with 1-4 years of experience is R351K.
An experienced mid-level employee makes an average of R454K per year.
The average annual salary for an IT manager with 10 to 19 years of experience is R576K.
Economists
Economist’s career is amongst one of the highest paying jobs in South Africa.
In South Africa, an economist makes an average salary of R305, 000.
The role of economists in business has been increasingly important throughout time.
Their main responsibility is to support management in making decisions and long-term planning for a company.
A firm's business environment must be evaluated by economists in order to address both internal and external elements that may have an impact on the business's ability to expand.
The business climate in a certain location may have an impact on a company's choice to invest, produce goods, and hire people.
This might involve a company's level of competitiveness as well as governmental economic policy.
Therefore, economists develop business plans that will enable the company to succeed in that setting.
You would require a degree in Economics, Statistics, or Business management to be considered an economist.
In South Africa, economists make a good living.
Early-career economists make an average of R131K per year, whereas economists with 5 to 9 years of experience make an average of R305K per year.
The average annual salary for an experienced economist with 10–19 years of experience is R565K.
Digital Marketing Expert
The marketing industry has seen significant change in recent years.
The majority of businesses have abandoned the traditional method of marketing in favor of leveraging digital channels to promote their names and goods.
The majority of businesses today use social media platforms to their advantage when marketing.
The experts in charge of putting digital marketing into practice use digital platforms to generate leads and raise brand recognition.
A digital marketer in their early careers makes, on average, R212K per year.
A digital marketing professional with 5 to 9 years of experience makes an average salary of R399K per year, while those with 10 to 19 years of experience make an average salary of R493K per year.
Financial Advisor
Every area of a nation's economy depends on financial counselors.
To achieve commercial or personal financial goals, this occupation is crucial.
Financial consultants constantly help their customers manage their money well.
Financial advisers often assist individuals or institutional customers in determining their financial requirements and achieving their financial goals.
They advise customers on investment choices and clarify tax regulations related to certain assets.
Financial advisers also help their customers select insurance policies that are most suited to their financial objectives and desires.
You must earn a 4-year degree in finance, accounting, business, and mathematics to become a financial advisor.
The typical annual salary for a financial advisor at the entry level is R142K.
An experienced person makes an average of R195K each year.
A financial advisor with 10 to 19 years of experience typically makes R300K per year.
Educators
Educator’s career is amongst one of the highest paying jobs in South Africa.
There is still a severe lack of instructors in the nation, 425 000 being the expected figure.
To raise the caliber of its educational systems, South Africa wants to generate more teachers each year.
If you believe that you would love the profession of teaching, starting a career in it would be an excellent idea.
In South Africa, one must hold an education-related degree or qualification to be eligible to become a teacher.
It could take 3–4 years to finish this.
The average annual salary for early career educators is R201k.
A teacher with 5 to 9 years of experience makes an average salary of R225K per year, whereas a teacher with 10 to 19 years of experience makes an average salary of R302K per year.
Specialist Doctors
In South Africa, a specialist doctor makes an average salary of R1, 600,000.
Doctors that specialize are now the best paid professionals.
They are highly competent professionals that often focus on a certain area of medicine.
Neurology, cardiology, and urology are a few examples.
Because becoming a specialty doctor, like a neurosurgeon, is difficult and expensive, it pays well.
The majority of specialized physicians put in long hours and are always on call, which makes their profession extremely hard and stressful.
The money they make once all the hard labor is done, however, more than makes up for this.
A neurosurgeon is qualified to handle illnesses and injuries involving the brain and spinal cord.
An entry-level neurosurgeon with 1-4 years of experience may expect to make an annual salary of R730K.
An expert in heart health is a cardiologist.
This is a well-paying career that you may have if you don't mind holding someone else's beating heart in your hands.
In South Africa, the average yearly salary for a cardiologist with medium experience is R1.6 million.
Chartered Accountant
A chartered accountant in South Africa with four to seven years of experience may expect to earn between R800, 000 and R1.2 million annually.
Being a chartered accountant may be highly draining, therefore you need to be very efficient and disciplined.
Compared to other accounting degrees, the Chartered Accounting title is more valuable and is recognized across the world.
A certified accountant's duties include offering clients reliable information regarding financial records, auditing accounts, and providing financial advice.
Taxation, forensic accounting, corporate finance, business recovery, and bankruptcy may fall under the purview of a chartered accountant.
In order to become a chartered accountant in South Africa, you must complete an undergraduate degree in accounting science, a bachelor's degree in accounting, or any other undergraduate qualification recognized by SAICA.
After that, you must take the CA (SA) board test.
Even though you must pass a qualifying test after earning your undergraduate degree in order to become a chartered accountant, the career provides a high pay and is extremely gratifying.
A chartered accountant with entry-level experience makes between R550.000 and R750, 000.00 annually, but one with mid-level experience makes between R8000.000 and R1.2, 000,000.00 annually.
An experienced CA makes between R1.6 million and R2.2 million annually.
Actuarial Scientists
Actuarial scientists in South Africa typically earn R1, 100,000.00 annually.
Measurements and management of risk and uncertainty in a firm are topics covered by the profession of an actuary.
To resolve financial and corporate issues, these experts employ analytical and quantitative abilities.
Due to a lack of actuaries in the nation, this is a career that is in great demand.
It might take up to 9 years to become an actuary.
Actuaries might have a variety of educational backgrounds, but they always need to get a postgraduate degree in actuarial science and pass the relevant tests administered by the professional actuarial societies.
A young actuary with 0–2 years of experience may expect to make between R350, 000 and R450, 000 annually.
With 4–7 years of experience, an actuary can expect to make between R500,000 and R800,000 a year, while those with 10+ years of expertise can expect to make between R1,200,000 and R1,700,000.
Architect
In most nations throughout the world, architecture is not just a well-paying career but also one that relies heavily on critical thinking abilities.
This implies that you can still grow by working abroad if you're not in South Africa.
Buildings are planned, designed, and constructed under the direction of an architect.
Since an architect's choices may have an impact on public safety, they undergo significant specialized training.
In South Africa, an architect makes an average salary of R715, 000.
You can pursue a degree in architecture at any South African institution to get qualified as an architect.
For instance, you may study architecture at the University of Cape Town's Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment.
The average salary for an architect in their first four years of practice is R277k, whereas the average salary for an architect with five to nine years of experience is R715K.
A more seasoned architect might make an average of R1.2 million each year.
Judges
In South Africa, a judge makes an average salary of R2.5 million.
Approximately R3 million is earned by the Chief Justice, R2,6 million by the Deputy Chief Justice, R2,3 million by the judges of the Constitutional Court, and R1,9 million by the judges of the High Court.
The majority of jobs need you to study and obtain a degree in order to work in that field, however becoming a judge is different.
Before becoming eligible to become a judge in South Africa, one must have a legal degree, pass the bar examinations, and work as an advocate or magistrate for a number of years.
2,500,000 ZAR/year as the average annual salary.
Management Consultant
A management consultant's average annual compensation in South Africa ranges from R250, 000.00 to R350, 000.00.
Mid-level consultants may anticipate annual salaries between R550, 000.00 and R800, 000.00 with 4–7 years of experience.
Management consultants assist businesses in maximizing their growth by enhancing operational efficiency.
They achieve this by helping firms acquire previously missing talents.
One needs a bachelor's or master's degree in a business-related subject to become a management consultant.
The general preference is for majors in finance, economics, and accounting.
A management consultant has to be proficient in math and technology.
Therefore, if you want to work in management consulting, it would be a good idea to start developing your IT abilities today.
800,000.00 ZAR is the average annual salary.
Biomedical Engineers
A management consultant's average annual compensation in South Africa ranges from R250, 000.00 to R350, 000.00.
Mid-level consultants may anticipate annual salaries between R550, 000.00 and R800, 000.00 with 4–7 years of experience.
Management consultants assist businesses in maximizing their growth by enhancing operational efficiency.
They achieve this by helping firms acquire previously missing talents.
One needs a bachelor's or master's degree in a business-related subject to become a management consultant.
The general preference is for majors in finance, economics, and accounting.
A management consultant has to be proficient in math and technology.
Therefore, if you want to work in management consulting, it would be a good idea to start developing your IT abilities today.
730,000 ZAR is the average annual salary.
Lawyers
In South Africa, the average annual salary for attorneys ranges from R650, 000 to R850, 000.
The eighth position is the legal profession.
Since the beginning of time, the legal field has consistently been among the highest-paying occupations.
Lawyers have managed to stay at the top of the list of high earners despite the fact that social and economic developments have had a detrimental influence on numerous professions.
This is mostly due to the fact that businesses and people will always want legal professionals to assist them in navigating legal systems.
The amount of years a lawyer has been in practice as well as the kind of lawyer they are affect their compensation.
The best-paid lawyers are those who practice law.
Annual Salary on Average: 8500,000 ZAR
Sales Manager
In South Africa, a sales manager makes an average salary of R727, 000.
Every established firm needs a sales manager.
They are in charge of a company's sales growth and making sure that sales goals are achieved.
In order to produce sales for the organization, they also manage sales teams, employ, and train them.
You require a degree in business administration, statistics, or mathematics to be eligible to become a sales manager.
A master's degree in business administration is a preferred qualification for some firms when hiring sales managers.
A midlevel sales manager with 5-9 years of experience makes an average income of R317k P/A, compared to an early career sales manager with 1-4 years of experience.
An experienced sales manager may expect to make R727K per year on average.
In South Africa, a sales manager makes an average salary of R727, 000.
Pilots
They are entitled to a high pay since they have to go through a lot of training and get a lot of qualifications before they can become pilots.
In order to become a fully certified pilot in South Africa, you must get a CPL license and log at least 200 hours of flying time.
Planes, helicopters, and other forms of aircraft are flown and navigated by pilots.
However, a pilot's pay is influenced by a number of variables, including their credentials, the type of aircraft they fly, and the sort of business they work for.
In South Africa, the average annual salary for a commercial pilot at entry-level is R690K.
An average Mid-level employee with 5 to 9 years of experience may make R850k per year.
In South Africa, an experienced commercial pilot makes an average of R950K per year.
Pharmacist
In South Africa, a pharmacist makes an average salary of R487, 000.00.
The work of a pharmacist is one of the few in which one must always be on the highest alert levels while requiring little physical labor and a laid-back attitude.
The field of pharmacy is in high demand around the globe.
A degree or master's in pharmacy from an institution recognized by the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) is required to study pharmacy in South Africa.
An entry-level pharmacist typically makes R251k per year, a mid-level pharmacist with 5–9 years of experience makes R487K per year, and a veteran pharmacist with 10–19 years of experience makes R688K per year.
Cybersecurity Engineer
The significance of cybersecurity has risen since the majority of large enterprises in South Africa have gone digital.
Additionally, the rise in the amount of hackers in the digital world has caused many businesses to be on the lookout, which has led to the current high need for cybersecurity experts.
Businesses are prepared to pay significant fees to anybody who can assist them in securing their technology.
A cyber security expert in South Africa gets an average income of R503, 000.
Since the bulk of big businesses in South Africa have gone digital, cybersecurity has become more important.
Additionally, the number of hackers has increased in the digital world, which has alerted many organizations and resulted in the present strong need for cybersecurity specialists.
Businesses are willing to spend hefty sums of money to anyone who can help them secure their equipment.
In South Africa, a cyber security specialist makes an average salary of R503, 000.
Takeaway
With the above top 18 highest paying jobs in South Africa, there are still more other type of jobs that pays a lot.
We have outlined most popular paying careers, most of the above now are most popular to be remote working and offering many opportunities with international companies.
You may also be interested in find out what are the most popular work from home jobs that international companies are interest.
