The one government job that saw massive salary hikes this year – and 17 others
Salaries in South Africa have jumped significantly over the past year, beating inflation and delivering real growth for the first time in a long time.
Data published by Stats SA shows that the average nominal salary in South Africa is currently sitting at R28,220 per month. This is R2,134 more than the same time last year (R26,086) – or an increase of 8.2%.
This is much higher than inflation, which currently sits at 2.9%.
However, on top of the significant increase in the average salary, there are quite a few job categories that have seen their earnings jump even higher – including a 22%-plus increase for those working in government.
Breaking down Stats SA’s salary data contained in the Quarterly Employment Survey for the third quarter, there are at least 18 job types in South Africa that have grown even more than the average.
Topping the list are those working in provincial departments, where average earnings have jumped 22.3% to R34,801 per month, up from R28,444 per month recorded over the same period in 2023.
The manufacturing and construction sectors have also seen significant salary increases, with those manufacturing motor vehicles, dairy products and in the casting of metals also seeing big jumps.
The table below outlines the jobs that have seen average increases year on year above the 8.2% average.
| # | Job Description | Sector | 2023 | 2024 | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Provincial departments | Community: Government | R28,444 | R34,801 | 22.3% |
| 2 | Casting of metals | Manufacturing | R25,426 | R30,691 | 20.7% |
| 3 | Sea and coastal water transport | Transport | R37,101 | R43,943 | 18.4% |
| 4 | Dairy products | Manufacturing | R15,193 | R17,905 | 17.8% |
| 5 | Motor vehicles | Manufacturing | R41,097 | R48,174 | 17.2% |
| 6 | Printing and related activities | Manufacturing | R18,766 | R21,212 | 13.0% |
| 7 | Renting of construction/demolition equipment with operators | Construction | R19,320 | R21,721 | 12.4% |
| 8 | Electric motors, generators and transformers | Manufacturing | R37,661 | R42,251 | 12.2% |
| 9 | Rubber products | Manufacturing | R25,047 | R27,849 | 11.2% |
| 10 | Footwear | Manufacturing | R11,100 | R12,336 | 11.1% |
| 11 | Air transport | Transport | R46,997 | R52,066 | 10.8% |
| 12 | Building completion | Construction | R17,752 | R19,582 | 10.3% |
| 13 | Television and associated goods | Manufacturing | R27,885 | R30,696 | 10.1% |
| 14 | Recycling n.e.c | Manufacturing | R16,143 | R17,714 | 9.7% |
| 15 | Wearing apparel | Manufacturing | R10,899 | R11,945 | 9.6% |
| 16 | Optical instruments, watches and clocks | Manufacturing | R31,586 | R34,496 | 9.2% |
| 17 | Research and development | Business Services | R35,901 | R39,024 | 8.7% |
| 18 | Manufacturing n.e.c | Manufacturing | R16,748 | R18,154 | 8.4% |
The following describes the industry segments.
- Mining includes mining and quarrying
- Manufacturing includes food and beverages, furniture, textiles, wood, printing and publishing, petroleum and chemicals, non-metals and mineral products, electrical, medical and technology-related apparatus, and transport equipment
- Electricity includes gas and water supply
- Trade includes wholesale, retail, motor, hotel and restaurants
- Transport includes freight, storage and postal communication
- Business services include financial intermediation, banking, insurance and real estate
- Community includes social and personal services, split among government and non-government entities.
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