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Administrative Assistant vs Actuarial Scientist
Salary Comparison.

Side-by-side monthly salary breakdown for South Africa in 2026 — entry to senior level, gross before tax.

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Actuarial Scientist earns 420% more than Administrative Assistant

Median R 78 000/month vs R 15 000/month — a R 63 000/month difference

Administrative Assistant

R15k/month

R 180 000/year

32% below SA workforce median

Higher earner

Actuarial Scientist

R78k/month

R 936 000/year

255% above SA workforce median

Salary by experience level

LevelAdministrative AssistantActuarial Scientist
Entry-level(0–2 yrs)R 8 500R 28 000
Mid-level(3–6 yrs)R 15 000R 78 000
Senior(7+ yrs)R 27 000R 145 000

Median monthly gross before PAYE tax · South Africa 2026

Salary range comparison

Entry-level

Administrative Assistant
R 8 500
Actuarial Scientist
R 28 000

Mid-level

Administrative Assistant
R 15 000
Actuarial Scientist
R 78 000

Senior

Administrative Assistant
R 27 000
Actuarial Scientist
R 145 000
Administrative AssistantActuarial Scientist

Key differences

Administrative Assistant

Salary rangeR6kR38k
MedianR 15 000/month
Annual (median)R180k

Administrative roles are evolving with AI tools handling routine tasks, increasing the premium on candidates with strong digital literacy and executive relationship skills.

Full Administrative Assistant salary guide →

Actuarial Scientist

Salary rangeR22kR250k
MedianR 78 000/month
Annual (median)R936k

Actuaries are in extremely short supply in South Africa, and demand from both traditional insurance and new fields (fintech, data science) is accelerating.

Full Actuarial Scientist salary guide →

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Frequently asked questions

Which earns more — a Administrative Assistant or a Actuarial Scientist in South Africa?

A Actuarial Scientist earns more on average. The median monthly salary for a Actuarial Scientist is R 78 000/month, compared to R 15 000/month for a Administrative Assistant — a difference of R 63 000/month (420% higher).

What is the Administrative Assistant salary in South Africa in 2026?

The median Administrative Assistant salary in South Africa is R 15 000/month gross in 2026. Entry-level positions pay R 6 000–R 12 000/month, mid-level pays R 12 000–R 20 000/month, and senior roles pay R 20 000–R 38 000/month.

What is the Actuarial Scientist salary in South Africa in 2026?

The median Actuarial Scientist salary in South Africa is R 78 000/month gross in 2026. Entry-level positions pay R 22 000–R 35 000/month, mid-level pays R 60 000–R 100 000/month, and senior roles pay R 100 000–R 250 000/month.

How do I calculate take-home pay for a Administrative Assistant or Actuarial Scientist?

Use the Rand Tools PAYE calculator. Enter the gross monthly salary and it will calculate your exact take-home pay after PAYE income tax, UIF (1% of gross, capped at R177.12/month), and any pension or medical aid contributions.

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