Last Updated on January 10, 2023
Do you wish to know where the biggest job incentives are in South Africa right now? Then, you have come to the right place. Knowing the current high paying jobs in South Africa can help motivate you to work hard, sacrifice, and exercise, as well as guide your career path.
Today, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a high paying job. South Africa has been feeling the impact of this phenomenon in recent years. In 2020, there was an unemployment rate of 24%. This means that if you were looking for a job and had one interview out of every four job applications, your chances of landing a job would be 50% less than what they ought to be. While most high paying jobs might seem out of reach, it pays to learn everything you need to know about them. By knowing about these jobs, you will be able to prepare yourself to meet the minimum requirements needed to land any one of them. With that said, here are the top 10 highest paying jobs in South Africa in 2023.
Table of Contents
1. IT Managers
First on our list of highest-paying jobs in South Africa is ICT Managers. Owing to the rapid technological advancements experienced in the ICT industry, IT managers stand as the biggest gainers.
An IT manager monitors operational requirements, research strategies, technology solutions and builds the most cost-effective and efficient systems. As the need for efficient technology in order to enhance business operations is on the increase today, there is a higher demand for IT managers and professionals.
Their job is highly complex and as such, they can expect the starting sum of R620, 230 per year. This is expected to grow as their expertise in the profession grows.
2. Pilot
The aviation sector is one of the high-paying jobs in South Africa.
It is a certainty that the work of a pilot is not one that can be done by any other person except one who is as well-trained and just as skillful.
It is indeed a hard career path that requires certain flying hours to become a qualified pilot for any big airline while also having in mind that this also costs lots of money. Qualified and experienced pilots salary in South Africa is R 695,800 per annum.
In conclusion, the average monthly salary of a pilot in South Africa (SA) is R57, 983 per month.
3. Chartered Accountant
Next on our list of top jobs in South Africa is chartered accountancy.
A career in chartered accountancy certainly isn’t for everyone as it requires sacrifice and discipline. It usually takes at least four years of academic study at South Africa’s top universities and another three years of practical training to become a fully certified chartered accountant.
Although all of these educational trainings are not put to waste as the career is a highly rewarding one. The average Salary of a Chartered Accountant in South Africa is R434, 191 per year.
From Statistics gathered, the Salary of chartered accountant in SA monthly is R36, 183 per month. This makes CA one of the high paying jobs in South Africa.
4. Actuary
An actuary is a business professional who deals with the financial impact of risk and uncertainty. Almost every industry is occupied with market and consumer data and how that information can be used to their advantage.
Risk is involved in every business but being able to minimize those risks is one of the obsessions of companies and industries thus an actuary is a rare but highly needed asset in every business or company.
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To be an Actuary, you’ll need a math degree. Actuaries examine the potential of an uncertain event to happen – such as an earthquake, hurricane, or other natural disasters – and assess the impact of financial losses.
You must have a strong background in asset management, liability management, business, and analytical skills, as well as a deep understanding of human behavioral patterns.
Experienced Actuaries receive approximately 598,055 per annum and remain one of the highest paying jobs in South Africa.
5. Specialist Doctors
The healthcare field is one that continues to grow with no end in sight and provides good career opportunities for those in the field.
Medical specialists are doctors who have completed advanced education and clinical training in a specific area of medicine. The salary range for doctors is highly dependent on the specialty of that doctor.
Neurosurgeons often are at the higher end of the spectrum, while a general practitioner would be at the lower end. Despite the limitless options this career path provides, the years of schooling may stop many from pursuing a medical degree.
But it is a highly rewarding profession especially with the shortage of qualified medical personnel. Depending on the rank or specialty, specialist doctors receive between R476,000 to R616,000 a year.
6. Software Engineers
As companies experience digital transformation, the need for professionals in ICT increases. Startups and big companies are looking for innovative software engineers that will help to improve the company’s computer programs.
As such, one of the highest paying jobs in South Africa is software engineering. Software Engineers manage the design, development, and maintenance of software programs.
Software engineering is a new generation field that is quickly becoming one of the country’s most important professions.
These engineers most likely have degrees in computer science and programming, and the higher-paid professionals will also have graduate-level degrees and a wealth of professional experience. A Software Engineer earns approximately R1.2 million rand per annum.
Technology is becoming deeply interwoven with business operations and soon the Software engineers might soon become indispensable.
7. Petroleum Engineers
The demand for skilled professionals in the engineering sector will continue to increase in the coming years.
Petroleum engineering is a combination of innovation and exploration and it requires a lot of intelligence and training. Petroleum engineering is a course at the university that requires a lot of discipline and sacrifice in the study in order to come out successful.
It is, therefore, one of the highest-paying careers in South Africa. The career path demands tremendous dedication and commitment. The salary of a South African petroleum engineer is R572, 600 per year.
8. Management Consultant
Data is at the core of every business now as it affects companies’ products and sales.
Management Consultants help organizations to improve their performance majorly through analysis.
They do this by analyzing raw data and trends that can help to predict consumer behavior, and existing organizational problems and also help to provide feedback that will create development plans for improvement.
Based on their level of expertise and the company involved, a management consultant can earn between R392, 000 rand and R672, 000 yearly. This figure makes management consultancy one of the highest-paying jobs in South Africa.
9. Lawyers
Legal matters will always arise while conducting business matters. No individual or business organization is immune from this. Legal matters require expert legal understanding and advise and this makes lawyers be constantly in high demand.
Starting salaries for qualified lawyers in South Africa are between R643, 440 and R655,000 per annum. This increases with more years of practice and higher expertise as they remain one of the highest paying jobs in South Africa.
10. Air Traffic Controller
This is also another top career in South Africa. Air Traffic Controllers coordinate the movement of air traffic to ensure that aircraft stay safe distances apart.
Not so many people are willing to undertake it as it is one of the most stressful jobs because a great amount of concentration will be required to ensure that no aircraft moves in the wrong lane at the wrong time.
The tasking requirements of this job are also rewarding as air traffic controllers can be expected to earn around R583, 450 yearly.
This is the list of high paying jobs in South Africa. However, it doesn’t include all jobs. We have selected the top 10 highest paying jobs in South Africa, but you can search for other places to work and enjoy earning good pay.
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