South African
Salary Guide.
Real salary ranges for 44 professions — entry-level to senior. All take-home figures use the 2026/2027 SARS tax brackets updated after the February 2026 Budget.
R22,400
Median gross salary / month
StatsSA QLFS Q4 2024
+6.1% year-on-year
R95,750
Tax-free threshold / year
SARS 2026/27 · under age 65
R30.23
National minimum wage / hour
Effective 1 March 2026
+2.7% from R29.43
16.5%
Effective rate at median
PAYE + UIF · no pension
Salary calculators
PAYE & Take-Home Calculator
Exact take-home after PAYE, UIF, medical aid credits, and pension.
UIF Calculator
See how much UIF you pay — and estimate your retrenchment benefit.
Overtime Calculator
BCEA weekday, Sunday, and public holiday rates applied to your monthly salary.
Pro-Rata Salary Calculator
Partial-month pay when you start or leave mid-month — calendar-day method.
Retrenchment Calculator
Full retrenchment package — BCEA severance, notice, leave, and SARS tax.
Two-Pot Withdrawal Calculator
What SARS takes from your savings-pot withdrawal — and what hits your bank.
RA Tax Benefit Calculator
See exactly how much SARS subsidises your retirement annuity contributions.
Pension Withdrawal Tax
SARS tax on pension or provident fund withdrawals — retirement and early exit.
Minimum Wage 2026
Current NMW rates: R30.23/hour from 1 March 2026 for all workers.
Salary guides & explainers
What is net salary in South Africa?
Net salary (take-home pay) is your gross salary after PAYE, UIF, and all other deductions. Learn how it's calculated with worked rand examples.
What is PAYE? Pay As You Earn explained
How PAYE income tax is deducted from your salary monthly, what the 2026/27 SARS brackets are, and how to legally reduce your bill.
Gross salary meaning — South Africa
Gross salary is your total pay before any deductions. Here's how it differs from net salary and CTC, with payslip examples.
Can your employer reduce your salary?
Under the BCEA, your employer cannot unilaterally cut your pay. Learn when a salary reduction is legal, and what your rights are.
Browse by category
Technology
6 professions
Software development, data science, and IT careers
Salary range
R12 000 – R140 000
Engineering
7 professions
Civil, electrical, mechanical, and chemical engineering
Salary range
R18 000 – R180 000
Finance
5 professions
Chartered accountants, actuaries, and financial careers
Salary range
R12 000 – R280 000
Healthcare & Medical
10 professions
Doctors and medical professionals
Salary range
R15 000 – R400 000
Management
6 professions
Project, operations, and marketing management
Salary range
R15 000 – R500 000
Government & Law Enforcement
4 professions
Metro police, traffic officers, and public service careers
Salary range
R7 000 – R360 000
Administration
2 professions
Administrative assistants and office management
Salary range
R6 000 – R100 000
Education
3 professions
Teaching and academic careers
Salary range
R18 000 – R65 000
Legal
1 profession
Attorneys, advocates, and legal careers
Salary range
R10 000 – R250 000
All professions
Medical Doctor
Mid: R50 000–R90 000/mo
Surgeon
Mid: R90 000–R160 000/mo
Cardiologist
Mid: R100 000–R180 000/mo
Dermatologist
Mid: R85 000–R145 000/mo
Neurologist
Mid: R85 000–R150 000/mo
Registered Nurse
Mid: R22 000–R35 000/mo
Pharmacist
Mid: R32 000–R50 000/mo
Dentist
Mid: R55 000–R100 000/mo
Physiotherapist
Mid: R32 000–R50 000/mo
Psychologist
Mid: R35 000–R55 000/mo
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SA salary breakdowns explained in plain language.
Salary guides
All articles →Free Alternatives to the Sage South Africa Payroll Calculator
Free alternatives to Sage for South African payroll: a no-sign-up PAYE calculator for employees, plus free payroll software options for small employers.
Read guideTop Salary and Tax Calculators for South Africa in 2026
Six SA salary and tax calculators compared by use case — payslip checks, bonus tax and tax return filing, checked against the 2026/27 SARS tables.
Read guideHow to Calculate PAYE and UIF for a South African Employee in 2026
Apply the 2026/27 SARS tax tables to taxable income, subtract rebates and medical aid credits, then calculate UIF at 1% of capped remuneration.
Read guideAbout our salary data
Salary ranges are sourced from CareerJunction's 2025/2026 Annual Salary Survey, Indeed South Africa, and Glassdoor ZA. Figures represent gross monthly pay before tax. Take-home calculations use the SARS 2026/2027 tax brackets. Individual salaries vary by employer, location, experience, and negotiation.