Highest Paying Jobs In South Africa

The highest paying professions in South Africa include those in management, ICT, engineering, medicine, etc.

However, salaries in these fields may vary depending on work experience, qualifications, or skill levels.

Highest Paying Jobs In South Africa

1. Specialist Medical Doctors

Medical specialists are in high demand in South Africa. These are physicians who have completed their advanced medical education. The salary range for this profession is determined by the area of specialty; for example, neurosurgeons are paid more than general practitioners. A neurosurgeon with one to four years of experience, for example, will earn an average salary of 730,000 Rands per year, while those with five to nine years of experience can earn up to 780,000 Rands per year, and those with more than ten years of experience can earn up to 2 million Rands per year.

An average annual compensation for a cardiologist with mid-level experience is 1.6 million Rands.

2. Actuary

Calculating and managing risk and uncertainty in enterprises is the responsibility of actuaries. These specialists use their analytical and mathematical skills to solve financial and business problems. This is a highly sought-after occupation due to the lack of actuaries in the nation. Becoming an actuary could take up to 9 years.

An actuary is concerned with the assessment and management of risk and uncertainty. This occupation necessitates a solid foundation in asset management, liability management, business, and analytical skills.

The average salary for this profession at the entry level is 597000 Rands per year, while those with five to nine years of experience earn around 920,000 Rands per year, and those with ten to 19 years of experience can earn around 1 million Rands per year.

3. Architect

A professional who plans, designs, and supervises the construction of structures is known as an architect. Architects receive extensive specialized training because their actions can have a significant impact on public safety.

In South Africa, an architect with 1-4 years of experience makes an average salary of 277,000 Rands annually, while one with 5-9 years of experience makes an average salary of 715,000 Rands annually. An architect with more experience can earn an average of 1.2 million Rands annually.

4. Chartered Accountant

A chartered accountant creates financial statements, reports to management, and records commercial transactions on behalf of an organization.

A chartered accountant may have expertise in taxation, forensic accounting, corporate finance, business recovery, and insolvency.

A chartered accountant with entry-level experience earns R489K per year, while one with mid-level expertise earns R605,000 per year. A person with 10 to 9 years of experience earns an annual salary of 782,000 Rands.

5. Lawyers

Lawyers advise individuals, corporations, and the government on legal issues.

On behalf of their clients, they present facts and argue a legal position in court.

They assist clients in the preparation of their wills. Their annual salary ranges from 41,000 Rands to 1.2 million Rands.

6. Management Consultants

Management consultants help businesses maximize their growth potential by improving performance. They accomplish this by assisting businesses in developing previously untapped talent. They assist businesses in growing and developing by problem-solving and discovering new and innovative approaches to problems that could benefit the company.

Individuals with 1-4 years of experience will earn an average of 298,000 Rands per year, while those with 5-9 years of experience will earn an average of 554,000 Rands per year. An experienced management consultant with 10-19 years of experience can expect to earn an annual salary of 869,000 Rands.

7. Biomedical Engineer

Biomedical engineers have transformed how people are treated for injuries and diseases. As a result of their experience, they have been able to develop better and more modern medical machinery, making intricate surgeries easier to perform.

A biomedical engineer in their early career with 1-4 years of experience earns 303,000 Rands per year on average. A biomedical engineer with 5-9 years of experience earns 420,000 Rands per year on average, while a biomedical engineer with more than 10 years of experience can earn up to 734,000 Rands per year.

8. Sales Manager

Every existing business relies on sales managers. They are responsible for a company’s sales growth and ensuring that sales targets are met. They also supervise sales teams, hiring and training them to generate revenue for the company.

To work as a sales manager, you must have a degree in business administration, statistics, or mathematics. Some employers prefer sales managers to have a master’s degree in business administration.

Earnings for sales managers vary depending on the type of sales department they manage, the companies they work for, and their prior experience.

An entry-level sales manager with 1-4 years of experience earns 155,000 Rands per year on average.A midlevel sales manager with 5-9 years of experience can expect to earn an annual salary of 317,000 Rands. An experienced sales manager can expect to earn an annual salary of 727,000 Rands.

9. Pilot

A pilot’s job is highly technical and necessitates specialized training. The training is time-consuming and costly.

An entry-level commercial pilot in South Africa earns an average of 690,000 Rands per year. A mid-level manager with 5-9 years of experience can expect to earn an annual salary of 850,000 Rands. An experienced commercial pilot earns an average of 950,000 Rands per year in South Africa.

10. Cyber Security Engineer

As the majority of South Africa’s large businesses have gone digital, the necessity of cybersecurity has increased. Furthermore, there is a high demand for cybersecurity engineers nowadays due to the increasing number of hackers in the digital world that has many firms on high alert.

Businesses are prepared to spend a lot of money on anyone who can help them safeguard their technological assets.

An entry-level cybersecurity engineer typically makes 400,000 Rands per year, with those with 5–9 years of experience earning 503,000 Rands annually. The average yearly salary for a cybersecurity engineer with 10 to 19 years of experience is 646,000 Rands.