South Africa’s latest salary data shows that a select group of careers continue to earn significantly more than the national average salary. According to the latest available Statistics South Africa Quarterly Employment Survey (QES), average monthly earnings in the formal non-agricultural sector stood at approximately R29,690. While many South Africans earn below this figure, the latest data identifies 43 high-paying jobs that exceed the national average, with some sectors offering monthly earnings of more than double the benchmark.
For Gauteng residents, where many of the country’s largest financial institutions, technology firms, engineering companies and government departments are based, the figures provide valuable insight into which career paths offer the strongest earning potential and what qualifications can help job seekers access these opportunities.
For Gauteng residents, where many of the country’s largest banks, technology firms, engineering companies and government institutions are based, the figures offer valuable insight into which career paths continue to provide strong earning potential and which qualifications are commonly associated with those industries.
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South Africa’s Average Salary Continues to Rise
Statistics South Africa’s latest earnings data show that average salaries have continued to increase despite economic pressures.
However, the data also highlights a clear divide between highly skilled professions and lower-paying sectors.
Industries linked to finance, technology, engineering, healthcare, aviation and utilities continue to dominate the list of top earners, while sectors such as hospitality, textiles and certain manufacturing categories remain below the national average.
Why Gauteng Dominates Many High-Paying Careers
Gauteng remains South Africa’s economic engine.
The province is home to:
- Major banking headquarters in Johannesburg and Sandton
- Large technology and telecommunications companies
- Engineering and infrastructure firms
- Government departments and public entities
- Leading healthcare institutions
- Logistics and transport hubs
As a result, many of the highest-paying career opportunities remain concentrated in Gauteng.
43 High-Paying Jobs and Career Paths Paying Above the National Average
Editor’s Note: The salaries below are based on Statistics South Africa industry and occupational categories. Actual earnings vary depending on qualifications, experience, employer and location.
| Career Path / Industry | Average Monthly Salary | What to Study |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Intermediation Activities | R80,573 | Finance, Accounting, Economics, Actuarial Science |
| Electricity, Gas, Steam and Water Supply | R75,492 | Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering |
| Computer and Related Activities | R70,513 | Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems |
| Air Transport | R60,644 | Aviation Management, Pilot Training, Logistics |
| Water Collection and Distribution | R58,153 | Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering |
| Extra Budgetary Institutions | R56,836 | Public Administration, Economics, Law |
| Banking Services | R56,036 | Finance, Accounting, Banking |
| Architectural and Engineering Activities | R52,074 | Civil, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering |
| Health and Social Work | R51,103 | Medicine, Nursing, Healthcare Management |
| Motor Vehicle Manufacturing | R51,083 | Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering |
| Electric Motors and Transformers | R51,017 | Electrical Engineering |
| Petroleum Refineries | R50,726 | Chemical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering |
| Sea and Coastal Transport | R49,920 | Maritime Studies, Logistics |
| Insurance and Pension Funding | R49,530 | Actuarial Science, Risk Management |
| Legal, Accounting and Auditing | R48,420 | Law, Accounting, Auditing |
| Membership Organisations | R47,206 | Public Policy, Social Sciences |
| Medical Instruments Manufacturing | R44,863 | Biomedical Engineering |
| Research and Development | R44,144 | Science, Engineering, Research Degrees |
| Universities and Technikons | R42,631 | Education, Master’s Degree, PhD |
| Telecommunications | R42,603 | ICT, Telecommunications Engineering |
| Real Estate Activities | R41,492 | Property Studies, Finance |
| National Government Departments | R41,001 | Public Management, Economics |
| Basic Chemicals | R40,829 | Chemical Engineering |
| Other Chemical Products | R40,157 | Chemical Engineering |
| General Purpose Machinery | R40,008 | Mechanical Engineering |
| Advertising | R39,895 | Marketing, Communications |
| Computing Machinery Manufacturing | R39,587 | Computer Engineering |
| Transport Support Services | R38,992 | Logistics, Supply Chain Management |
| Railway, Aircraft and Spacecraft Manufacturing | R38,694 | Aeronautical Engineering |
| Provincial Government Departments | R38,073 | Public Administration |
| Special Purpose Machinery | R37,995 | Mechanical Engineering |
| Wholesale Trade | R37,640 | Business Management, Supply Chain |
| Basic Iron and Steel | R37,384 | Metallurgical Engineering |
| Non-Gold Mining | R37,323 | Mining Engineering, Geology |
| Precious Metals Manufacturing | R36,459 | Metallurgy |
| Optical Instruments Manufacturing | R36,168 | Engineering, Physics |
| Gold Mining | R36,037 | Mining Engineering |
| Local Government | R35,626 | Public Administration |
| Educational Institutions | R34,699 | Education |
| Electronic Components Manufacturing | R34,334 | Electronic Engineering |
| Publishing | R33,318 | Journalism, Publishing, Communications |
| Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | R33,197 | Mechanical Engineering |
| Land Transport | R33,124 | Logistics, Transport Management |
Five Qualifications That Appear Most Often
A closer look at the data shows that a handful of qualifications repeatedly appear across South Africa’s highest-paying sectors.
1. Engineering
Engineering remains one of the strongest pathways into high-paying careers.
Fields include:
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Mining Engineering
2. Computer Science and IT
Technology continues to be one of the fastest-growing sectors globally.
Popular qualifications include:
- Computer Science
- Information Systems
- Software Engineering
- Data Science
3. Finance and Accounting
Many of South Africa’s highest earners work in finance-related fields.
Popular qualifications include:
- BCom Accounting
- Finance
- Economics
- Actuarial Science
4. Medicine and Healthcare
Healthcare remains a highly specialised field with strong earning potential.
Qualifications include:
- MBChB
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Healthcare Management
5. Law and Public Administration
Government, legal and regulatory sectors continue to offer competitive salaries.
Common qualifications include:
- LLB
- Public Management
- Public Administration
- Governance Studies
What This Means for Gauteng Residents
For learners, students and job seekers in Gauteng, the latest salary data highlights where many of the country’s strongest earning opportunities currently exist.
The findings suggest that specialised qualifications, scarce skills and professional registrations remain key drivers of higher earnings.
As Gauteng continues attracting investment in finance, technology, engineering and infrastructure, demand for skilled professionals in these sectors is likely to remain strong.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is South Africa’s average salary?
According to the latest available Statistics South Africa Quarterly Employment Survey, average monthly earnings were approximately R29,690.
Which sector pays the highest average salary?
Financial Intermediation Activities recorded the highest average salary at R80,573 per month.
Is IT still a good career choice?
Yes. Computer and Related Activities remains one of South Africa’s highest-paying sectors.
Which qualification appears most often among high-paying careers?
Engineering qualifications appear most frequently across the highest-paying industries.
Why does Gauteng have so many high-paying jobs?
Gauteng is home to many of South Africa’s largest employers, financial institutions, technology firms, government departments and professional services companies.
What Happens Next?
While salary growth continues across the economy, earnings remain concentrated in sectors requiring specialised skills and qualifications. Future salary trends will depend on economic growth, investment, technological advancement and labour market demand. For Gauteng residents considering their next career move, the latest salary data provides a useful snapshot of where some of the country’s strongest earning opportunities currently exist.
