How much judges, magistrates, and justices in South Africa get paid in 2026
The office of the presidency has gazetted the updated salaries for judges, magistrates, justices and the public protector, effective 1 April 2025.
According to the presidency, the total salary package for judges consists of a 72.24% cash component and a 27.76% non-cash component, which includes motor allowances and medical aid contributions.
However, the total salary for judges does not include pension benefits, as these are regulated separately.
The remuneration package for magistrates includes a basic salary, accounting for 70% of the total, along with a pension benefit and a “flexible portion” for the remaining 30%.
The presidency emphasised that the magistrates’ salary package applies only to permanently appointed magistrates, including those serving a probationary period.
The highest-paid position is the Chief Justice, with an annual salary reported by the presidency of over R3.3 million.
The annual salary of the Public Protector is over R2.7 million, set at R2,701,451—which is the exact same amount earned by a Judge of the Constitutional Court or a Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal.
The Public Protector is appointed for a period of seven years, a position which cannot be renewed.
The Public Protector has the authority to investigate alleged improper conduct in state affairs and public administration across any government sphere, report findings, and take remedial action, as defined by national legislation.
This office has additional powers prescribed by law, but it cannot investigate court decisions.
The Public Protector must be accessible to all individuals and communities, and reports must be available to the public unless specific exceptional circumstances warrant confidentiality.
While the recent gazette focuses on full-time annual salaries, it also makes provision for part-time Commissioners of the South African Human Rights Commission, who are allocated a daily sitting allowance of R5,175.
The new salaries for judges, magistrates, and justices are shown below.
Constitutional Court Judges and Judges
| Grade | Pay Level | Position | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| JA | 1 | Chief Justice | R3,376,765 |
| JB | 1 | Deputy Chief Justice | R3,039,009 |
| President: Supreme Court of Appeal | R3,039,009 | ||
| JC | 1 | Deputy President: Supreme Court of Appeal | R2,870,230 |
| 2 | Judge: Constitutional Court | R2,701,451 | |
| Judge: Supreme Court of Appeal | R2,701,451 | ||
| 3 | Judge President: High/Labour Court | R2,532,672 | |
| 4 | Deputy Judge President: High/Labour Court | R2,363,696 | |
| 5 | Judge: High/Labour Court | R2,194,917 |
Magistrates
| Grade | Pay Level | Position | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| JD | 1 | Special Grade Chief Magistrate | R 1,759,270 |
| Regional Court President | R 1,759,270 | ||
| JE | 1 | Regional Magistrate | R 1,578,535 |
| Chief Magistrate | R 1,578,535 | ||
| JF | 1 | Senior Magistrate | R 1,308,453 |
| JG | 1 | Magistrate | R 1,209,303 |
South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC)
| Position | Salary / Allowance |
|---|---|
| Chairperson | R1,676,110 |
| Deputy Chairperson | R1,422,488 |
| Commissioners | R1,303,947 |
| Part time: Commissioners (per day) | R5,175 |
Public Protector and Deputy Public Protector
| Pay Level | Position | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Public Protector | R2,701,451 |
| 1 | Deputy Public Protector | R2,115,140 |
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