Salaries by job in South Africa 2026: gross and net
Typical monthly pay for the main kinds of job, before and after tax and social security, from official earnings data.
Typical gross pay a month in 2026 for the main kinds of job, from the lowest-paid to the highest-paid. Your own salary and situation: in the calculator below.
Every kind of job ↓…
Pay by kind of job in South Africa 2026
Pay differs most by the kind of work. The table shows the typical gross pay a month of each main group of the international ISCO classification, and what is left after income tax and social security.
Typical pay a month by kind of job
| Kind of job | Gross a month | Net a month | Compared with all |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professionals: engineers, doctors, teachers, IT specialists, lawyers | ZAR 20,428 | ZAR 16,802 | +209% |
| Managers | ZAR 14,420 | ZAR 12,279 | +118% |
| Technicians and associate professionals | ZAR 10,812 | ZAR 9,578 | +64% |
| Machine operators, assemblers and drivers | ZAR 8,413 | ZAR 7,698 | +27% |
| Skilled trades: construction, electricians, mechanics | ZAR 6,007 | ZAR 5,497 | −9% |
| Service and sales: shops, restaurants, care, security | ZAR 5,664 | ZAR 5,182 | −14% |
| Office and administrative staff | ZAR 5,406 | ZAR 4,946 | −18% |
| Elementary jobs: cleaners, helpers, labourers | ZAR 3,007 | ZAR 2,751 | −55% |
| Farming, forestry and fishing | ZAR 1,513 | ZAR 1,385 | −77% |
| All employees (median) | ZAR 6,609 | ZAR 6,047 | 0% |
Typical gross pay: the 2026 national median, ZAR 6,609 a month, times how much each group earns compared with all employees (median monthly earnings, ILOSTAT, 2020). Net pay: single, aged 35, no children, 12 salaries a year. Pay varies widely inside each group by experience, sector and region.
Frequently asked questions
Which jobs pay the most in South Africa?
Professionals: typically ZAR 20,428 gross a month, ZAR 16,802 net.
Which jobs pay the least in South Africa?
Farming, forestry and fishing: typically ZAR 1,513 gross a month, ZAR 1,385 net.
Rules and official sources: see “Rules applied (2026)” in the calculator. Last checked: October 2026. Estimates for information, not financial advice.
Other questions about pay in South Africa: What is my hourly wage? · What is the minimum wage after tax? · What do I take home part-time? · How much unemployment benefit would I get? · How much notice must my employer give? · When can I retire? · What is my money worth after inflation?
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