43 High-Paying Jobs in South Africa That Exceed the Average Salary

According to Statistics South Africa’s (Stats SA) latest Quarterly Employment Survey (QES) for the second quarter of 2025, the average monthly salary in South Africa has risen to R29,290, marking a 3.4% increase from R28,322 in the first quarter. Statistics South Africa Notably, 43 job types in the formal, non-agricultural sector now offer salaries above this national average.

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Full List of 43 High-Paying Job Types

#	Job Type	Sector	Average Monthly Salary (R)
1	Activities Auxiliary to Financial Intermediation	Business Services	72,591
2	Electricity, Gas, Steam, and Water Supply	Electricity & Water	63,262
3	Computer and Related Activities	Business Services	56,629
4	Financial Intermediation (excluding insurance and pension funding)	Business Services	54,992
5	Air Transport	Transport	54,820
6	Extra Budgetary Institutions	Government	50,489
7	Health and Social Work	NGO	48,465
8	Insurance and Pension Funding	Business Services	47,898
9	Coke Oven Products; Petroleum Refineries; Processing of Nuclear Fuel	Manufacturing	47,484
10	Architectural, Engineering, and Other Technical Activities	Business Services	46,394
11	Motor Vehicles	Manufacturing	45,800
12	Sea and Coastal Water Transport	Transport	43,157
13	Legal, Accounting, Bookkeeping, and Auditing Activities	Business Services	43,131
14	Electric Motors, Generators, and Transformers	Manufacturing	42,357
15	Post and Telecommunications	Transport	42,336
16	Collection, Purification, and Distribution of Water	Electricity & Water	40,911
17	National Departments	Government	40,348
18	Research and Development	Business Services	40,271
19	Medical Appliances and Instruments	Manufacturing	39,016
20	Real Estate Activities	Business Services	38,606
21	Advertising	Business Services	38,558
22	Provincial Departments	Government	37,588
23	Activities of Membership Organisation	NGO	37,543
24	Basic Chemicals	Manufacturing	36,815
25	Universities and Technikons	Government	36,522
26	Non-Gold Mining	Mining	35,756
27	Optical Instruments and Photographic Equipment; Watches and Clocks	Manufacturing	35,601
28	Railway and Tramway Locomotives and Rolling Stock; Aircraft and Spacecraft	Manufacturing	35,383
29	Gold	Mining	34,166
30	Supporting and Auxiliary Transport Activities	Transport	34,066
31	General Purpose Machinery	Manufacturing	33,753
32	Wholesale Trade	Trade	33,653
33	Other Chemical Products	Manufacturing	33,474
34	Basic Iron and Steel	Manufacturing	33,281
35	Special Purpose Machinery	Manufacturing	32,812
36	Office, Accounting, and Computing Machinery	Manufacturing	32,626
37	Local Government	Government	31,804
38	Basic Precious and Non-Ferrous Metals	Manufacturing	31,714
39	Publishing	Manufacturing	30,843
40	Other Educational Institutions	NGO	30,681
41	Land Transport and Transport via Pipelines	Transport	30,516
42	Television and Radio Receivers, Sound or Video Recording, etc.	Manufacturing	30,322
43	Paper and Paper Products	Manufacturing	29,894

Top 5 Highest-Paying Job Types

1. Activities Auxiliary to Financial Intermediation
   Sector: Business Services
   Average Monthly Salary: R72,591
2. Electricity, Gas, Steam, and Water Supply
   Sector: Electricity & Water
   Average Monthly Salary: R63,262
3. Computer and Related Activities
   Sector: Business Services
   Average Monthly Salary: R56,629
4. Financial Intermediation (excluding insurance and pension funding)
   Sector: Business Services
   Average Monthly Salary: R54,992
5. Air Transport
   Sector: Transport
   Average Monthly Salary: R54,820

Also check: South Africa Interest Rates: Will Repo Cuts Continue After July?

Sector Breakdown

1. Business Services: Dominates the high-paying sector with roles in financial intermediation, legal, accounting, and technical activities.
2. Electricity & Water: Offers substantial salaries, with positions in power supply and water distribution.
3. Transport: Includes high-paying roles in air and sea transport, as well as supporting and auxiliary transport activities.
4. Manufacturing: Features specialized roles in sectors like petroleum refining, medical appliances, and machinery production.
5. Government & NGO: Provides competitive salaries in areas such as research and development, health and social work, and educational institutions.

Insights for Job Seekers

The QES data underscores the importance of specialized skills and qualifications in securing higher-paying employment opportunities. Industries such as financial services, utilities, and technology consistently offer above-average salaries, reflecting the demand for expertise in these fields. Conversely, sectors like manufacturing (excluding specialized roles) and hospitality tend to offer lower average earnings.

Read more:  Repo Rate Cut: A Welcome Move Due to Stable Rand and Improved Economic Outlook

For professionals aiming to enhance their earning potential, pursuing qualifications and experience in high-demand sectors can be a strategic approach. Additionally, staying informed about industry trends and emerging fields can provide a competitive edge in the job market.

Note: The above information is based on data from Stats SA’s Quarterly Employment Survey for Q2 2025. For more detailed insights and updates, refer to the full report on the Stats SA website.