MigrantoAverage salary in South Africa
What people take home per month and earn per year, by industry and against other countries
Wages in South Africa
81% of gross pay stays in hand after income tax and employee contributions
Per employee, all industries
Take-home / mo
ZAR 25,200
Gross / yr
ZAR 373,000
Ask Migo
Tap a question — our AI assistant answers it in chat
Key facts
Salaries in South Africa in numbers
Out-earns every neighbour
No neighbouring country pays more. The closest is Namibia at ZAR 7,930 a month against ZAR 25,200 here. The widest gap is to Lesotho, where pay is 12× lower.
The highest average pay in Africa
Take-home averages ZAR 25,200 a month, more than any of the other 42 countries in Africa. Worldwide South Africa ranks #49 of 169.
Pays well above the middle in Africa
ZAR 25,200 a month against ZAR 3,350 for the middle country in Africa.
How salaries in South Africa compare
Neighbours, region and the world on the same take-home figure
Data source: National statistics 2025, adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
Salary calculator
What you could earn in South Africa
Tell us what you do and what you earn today — we'll estimate what someone with your background could earn in South Africa, what your living costs might be, and what you could save
- What someone in your field earns
- What you could spend and save
- How it compares with today
Take-home in South Africa
ZAR 10,100/mo
vs ZAR 19,500 in your country
Cost of living
ZAR 1,170
vs ZAR 13,000 in your country
Potential savings
ZAR 8,900
more than in your country
Standard of living
Under a minute, no sign-up
Frequently asked questions
What is the average salary in South Africa?
The average salary in South Africa is ZAR 31,100 a month before tax, or ZAR 25,200 take-home after tax and social contributions. Over a year that's ZAR 373,000 before tax and ZAR 302,000 after.
What is the average salary in South Africa in US dollars?
The average salary in South Africa in US dollars is about $22,908 a year before tax, or $1,546 a month after tax.
What is a good salary in South Africa?
A good salary in South Africa is generally one above the national average — more than ZAR 25,200 take-home a month, or ZAR 373,000 gross a year. But a lot depends on your spending, where you live, and your financial goals.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in South Africa?
A typical person in South Africa spends about ZAR 3,700 a month, while the average take-home pay is ZAR 25,200. How much you need to live comfortably depends on the city, your family situation, and how you usually spend. See the cost of living in South Africa for the full picture.
Is South Africa a high-salary country?
Yes. By average after-tax pay, South Africa is ahead of 71% of countries worldwide and ranks 1st out of 42 countries in Africa.
Where to live?
Score countries, regions and cities by what matters to you
Living in South Africa
See the full country overview