top of page

Top 40 highest paying jobs in south Africa

Neurosurgeon

Monthly Salary: R250,000 – R416,666

Work Hours: 60–80 hours/week

Qualifications: MBChB, 2-year internship, 1-year community service, 6 years specialization

Cardiothoracic Surgeon

Monthly Salary: R233,333 – R375,000

Work Hours: 60–80 hours/week

Qualifications: MBChB, 2-year internship, 1-year community service, 6 years specialization

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Monthly Salary: R208,333 – R833,333+

Work Hours: 50–70 hours/week

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree, MBA or equivalent, extensive executive experience

Ship Captain (Deep Sea/Specialized Cargo)

Monthly Salary: R166,666 – R291,666

Work Hours: 4–6 weeks on duty, 4–6 weeks off

Qualifications: Maritime degree, extensive sea experience

Actuary (Experienced)

Monthly Salary: R150,000 – R250,000

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: Actuarial degree, professional exams

Mining Engineer (Deep Level)

Monthly Salary: R125,000 – R183,333

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: BEng in Mining Engineering, relevant experience

Legal Partner (Corporate Law)

Monthly Salary: R100,000 – R166,666

Work Hours: 50–60 hours/week

Qualifications: LLB, extensive legal experience

Software Architect (Specialized Skills – Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing)

Monthly Salary: R83,333 – R150,000

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: Degree in Computer Science, specialized certifications

Airline Pilot (Senior Captain – Long Haul)

Monthly Salary: R75,000 – R125,000

Work Hours: Variable, based on flight schedules

Qualifications: Commercial pilot license, extensive flying hours

Petroleum Engineer

Monthly Salary: R70,833 – R116,666

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: BEng in Petroleum Engineering, relevant experience

Financial Manager

Monthly Salary: R61,600 – R103,000

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: BCom Accounting, CA(SA) or equivalent

Chartered Accountant (CA)

Monthly Salary: R49,000 – R80,000

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: BCom Accounting, completed articles

Data Scientist

Monthly Salary: R45,833 – R75,000

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: Degree in Computer Science or Statistics, specialized training

 

Software Engineer

Monthly Salary: R50,000 – R70,000

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: Degree in Computer Science, programming skills

 

IT Manager

Monthly Salary: R45,000 – R70,000

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: Degree in Information Technology, management experience

 

Legal Counsel (In-House)

Monthly Salary: R40,000 – R65,000

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: LLB, corporate legal experience

 

Civil Engineer

Monthly Salary: R40,000 – R60,000

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: BEng in Civil Engineering, relevant experience

 

Electrical Engineer

Monthly Salary: R35,000 – R55,000

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: BEng in Electrical Engineering, relevant experience

 

Mechanical Engineer

Monthly Salary: R35,000 – R55,000

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: BEng in Mechanical Engineering, relevant experience

 

Mining Manager

Monthly Salary: R40,000 – R60,000

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: Degree in Mining Engineering, management experience

 

Petroleum Geologist

Monthly Salary: R45,000 – R70,000

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: Degree in Geology, specialized training

 

Quantitative Analyst (Quant)

Monthly Salary: R50,000 – R80,000

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: Degree in Mathematics or Physics, financial modeling skills

 

Investment Banker

Monthly Salary: R50,000 – R80,000

Work Hours: 50–60 hours/week

Qualifications: Degree in Finance or Economics, investment banking experience

 

Corporate Strategist

Monthly Salary: R45,000 – R70,000

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: MBA, strategic planning experience

 

Marketing Director

Monthly Salary: R40,000 – R65,000

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: Degree in Marketing, leadership experience

 

Sales Director

Monthly Salary: R40,000 – R65,000

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: Degree in Business, sales management experience

 

Human Resources Director

Monthly Salary: R40,000 – R60,000

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: Degree in Human Resources, leadership experience

 

Supply Chain Manager

Monthly Salary: R62,500

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: Degree in Supply Chain Management, logistics experience

 

Project Manager (Construction)

Monthly Salary: R45,000 – R70,000

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: Degree in Construction Management, project management experience

 

Construction Manager

Monthly Salary: R45,000 – R70,000

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: Degree in Construction Management, leadership experience

 

Urban Planner

Monthly Salary: R35,000 – R55,000

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: Degree in Urban Planning, relevant experience

 

Architect

Monthly Salary: R35,000 – R55,000

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: Degree in Architecture, design experience

 

Interior Designer

Monthly Salary: R30,000 – R50,000

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: Degree in Interior Design, creative portfolio

 

Industrial Designer

Monthly Salary: R30,000 – R50,000

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: Degree in Industrial Design, product development experience

 

Graphic Designer

Monthly Salary: R25,000 – R45,000

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: Degree in Graphic Design, design portfolio

 

Web Developer

Monthly Salary: R25,000 – R45,000

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: Degree in Computer Science, web development skills

 

Content Manager

Monthly Salary: R30,000 – R50,000

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: Degree in Communications, content strategy experience

 

Public Relations Manager

Monthly Salary: R30,000 – R50,000

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: Degree in Public Relations, media relations experience

 

Event Manager

Monthly Salary: R25,000 – R45,000

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: Degree in Event Management, organizational skills

 

Hotel Manager

Monthly Salary: R30,000 – R50,000

Work Hours: 40–50 hours/week

Qualifications: Degree in Hospitality Management, leadership experience

bottom of page