Salary Intelligence
Salaries in South Africa by profession
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?
Key facts
- National median: ~$8,913 gross ~$8,323 after tax (2022 data, 93% kept).
- Highest-paying role: CTO / Technology Director ~$49,655/yr net for a mid-level cto / technology director.
- Purchasing power the median net is worth ~$17,113 in PPP-equivalent (US price) terms.
- 38 professions estimated each = the national median × the role's skill premium, netted via the tax engine.
National median (2022)
$8,913 gross · $8,323 after tax · $17,113 PPP-equivalent. Source & methodology
Estimated pay by profession in South Africa
By take-home, the highest pay in South Africa is estimated for a 🏢 cto / technology director — $49,655 net after tax (8× the local median).
| Profession | Est. gross | Est. net |
|---|---|---|
| CTO / Technology Director | $71,615 | $49,655 |
| AI Engineer | $60,268 | $42,960 |
| Senior Software Engineer | $60,253 | $42,951 |
| Engineering Manager | $52,732 | $38,470 |
| Doctor (Physician) | $46,825 | $34,867 |
| Software Engineer | $43,828 | $33,039 |
| Data Engineer | $42,747 | $32,370 |
| Cloud Engineer | $40,990 | $31,245 |
| DevOps Engineer | $40,867 | $31,167 |
| Product Manager | $39,820 | $30,496 |
| Cybersecurity Specialist | $37,397 | $28,946 |
| Data Scientist | $35,394 | $27,664 |
| Management Consultant | $35,209 | $27,545 |
| Dentist | $33,083 | $26,185 |
| Remote Freelancer | $29,640 | $23,822 |
| Sales Manager | $26,347 | $21,550 |
| Pharmacist | $26,272 | $21,498 |
| General Manager | $25,891 | $21,236 |
| UX Designer | $25,598 | $21,033 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $24,507 | $20,281 |
| Marketing Manager | $23,952 | $19,898 |
| Project Manager | $23,952 | $19,898 |
| Civil Engineer | $23,257 | $19,395 |
| Finance Analyst | $22,395 | $18,757 |
| Business Analyst | $22,095 | $18,535 |
| Content Writer | $21,637 | $18,197 |
| Operations Manager | $21,047 | $17,760 |
| HR Manager | $18,862 | $16,143 |
| University Lecturer | $18,103 | $15,581 |
| Physiotherapist | $17,066 | $14,814 |
| Graphic Designer | $16,518 | $14,408 |
| Accountant | $15,090 | $13,345 |
| Hospitality Manager | $13,463 | $12,011 |
| Nurse | $12,066 | $10,876 |
| Chef | $11,686 | $10,569 |
| Teacher | $10,828 | $9,874 |
| Electrician | $10,454 | $9,571 |
| Plumber | $10,369 | $9,502 |
“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
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. Singapore is the exception: its figures are the Ministry of Manpower's June 2025 occupational medians. 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.
Where the money goes: CTO / Technology Director in South Africa
Gross pay erodes to take-home after tax, then adjusts for local prices — a mid-level estimate, every step sourced.
Updated · National medians (Eurostat / national stats) · US BLS OEWS May 2024 · World Bank ICP 2021 (PPP)
- Gross$71,615
- Income tax−$21,960
- Net (after tax)$49,655
- Local prices+$52,445
- Real value$102,100
Keep rate 69% · net $49,655 · real value $102,100 (your money goes further here)
| Step | USD/yr | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary | $71,615 | Estimated gross for the role. |
| − Income tax & social | −$21,960 | Resident tax brackets; you keep 69%. |
| Net (after tax) | $49,655 | Take-home in nominal USD. |
| + Local prices (PPP) | +$52,445 | Cheaper than the US — your net buys more. |
| Real value (PPP-equiv. net) | $102,100 | What the net is worth in US price terms. |
Thinking about moving to South Africa?
South Africa salary questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good salary in South Africa?▾
The national median is about $8,913 gross (~$8,323 after tax) for 2022. A "good" salary is typically well above the median — many skilled professions here estimate above $34,758 net. Cost of living matters as much as the headline number.
Which jobs pay the most in South Africa?▾
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.
Does WhereNext estimate net salary after tax in South Africa?▾
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.
How reliable are these South Africa salary figures?▾
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.