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Salary Intelligence
National median, after-tax net, and purchasing power for 38 professions in South Africa — anchored to a primary-sourced median wage (2022 data).
What is a good salary in South Africa?
In South Africa, the national median salary is about $7,701 gross (~$6,238 after tax, 2022 data). Estimated pay for a mid-level professional ranges from ~$7,256 to ~$41,423 net depending on the role — highest for a cto / technology director. Figures are modelled estimates anchored to South Africa's national median wage; not a job offer.
Key facts
National median (2022)
$7,701 gross · $6,238 after tax · $12,827 PPP-equivalent. Source & methodology
| Profession | Est. gross | Est. net |
|---|---|---|
| CTO / Technology Director | $61,877 | $41,423 |
| AI Engineer | $52,073 | $35,737 |
| Senior Software Engineer | $52,060 | $35,729 |
| Engineering Manager | $45,561 | $31,911 |
| Doctor (Physician) | $40,458 | $28,849 |
| Software Engineer | $37,868 | $27,295 |
| Data Engineer | $36,935 | $26,734 |
| Cloud Engineer | $35,416 | $25,777 |
| DevOps Engineer | $35,310 | $25,710 |
| Product Manager | $34,405 | $25,140 |
| Cybersecurity Specialist | $32,312 | $23,822 |
| Data Scientist | $30,581 | $22,731 |
| Management Consultant | $30,421 | $22,630 |
| Dentist | $28,584 | $21,473 |
| Remote Freelancer | $25,610 | $19,480 |
| Sales Manager | $22,764 | $17,544 |
| Pharmacist | $22,699 | $17,500 |
| General Manager | $22,370 | $17,276 |
| UX Designer | $22,117 | $17,105 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $21,175 | $16,464 |
| Marketing Manager | $20,695 | $16,138 |
| Project Manager | $20,695 | $16,138 |
| Civil Engineer | $20,095 | $15,709 |
| Finance Analyst | $19,350 | $15,165 |
| Business Analyst | $19,091 | $14,976 |
| Content Writer | $18,695 | $14,687 |
| Operations Manager | $18,185 | $14,315 |
| HR Manager | $16,297 | $12,937 |
| University Lecturer | $15,641 | $12,458 |
| Physiotherapist | $14,745 | $11,804 |
| Graphic Designer | $14,272 | $11,458 |
| Accountant | $13,038 | $10,558 |
| Hospitality Manager | $11,632 | $9,422 |
| Nurse | $10,425 | $8,444 |
| Chef | $10,097 | $8,179 |
| Teacher | $9,355 | $7,577 |
| Electrician | $9,032 | $7,316 |
| Plumber | $8,959 | $7,256 |
“vs median” = estimated gross ÷ South Africa's national median gross. Tap a role for the full country-by-country ranking. Regulated professions (medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, teaching) require local credential recognition before you can practise. The national median here is an economy-wide figure that includes informal employment, so formal-sector and skilled-role pay typically sits well above it.
South Africa salary estimates · Source: South Africa national median wage (national statistical office / Eurostat, 2022) + WhereNext tax engine · Last verified Jun 22, 2026 (today)
Modelled estimate, not survey data. Each profession figure is the country's national median wage scaled by the role's skill premium — a directional model, not a per-role salary survey. It is for a mid-level professional and varies widely by employer, seniority, bonus, equity, contract type and tax regime. Net is modelled via WhereNext's tax engine and is not tax or employment advice — verify with an employer or qualified advisor before making decisions.
Turn salary, tax and cost of living into a relocation decision built around your real numbers.
The national median is about $7,701 gross (~$6,238 after tax) for 2022. A "good" salary is typically well above the median — many skilled professions here estimate above $28,996 net. Cost of living matters as much as the headline number.
Among the roles modelled, the highest after-tax pay in South Africa is estimated for cto / technology director, ai engineer, senior software engineer. These are directional estimates — actual pay varies by employer, seniority and sector.
Yes. Net figures are computed with WhereNext's tax engine using South Africa's domestic resident income tax brackets and social contributions — not expat regimes. Verify your own situation with a qualified advisor.
The national median is primary-sourced (national statistical office / Eurostat, 2022 data). Per-profession figures are a model — the national median × the role's skill premium, not a per-role salary survey — so treat them as a planning guide, not a quote.