South Africa’s job market is showing subtle but important shifts, with new data revealing that more professions now pay above the national average salary despite modest wage growth.
Fresh figures from Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Employment Survey show that the average monthly salary rose slightly to R29,690 in the fourth quarter. Although the increase from R29,650 in the previous quarter appears minimal, the broader trend highlights stronger earnings across key sectors.
More importantly, the number of job categories paying above this average has expanded significantly. In the third quarter, only 43 roles crossed the threshold. However, that figure has now climbed to 57, signaling a wider spread of higher-paying opportunities across the economy.
At the same time, total gross earnings grew by 4.8% year-on-year, adding R49.6 billion between December 2024 and December 2025. This growth was driven by steady gains in industries such as manufacturing, trade, construction, mining, and transport.
Basic salaries also increased, rising by R16.6 billion over the quarter. Meanwhile, bonuses surged sharply by 92.5%, largely due to seasonal December payouts. Overtime earnings, however, saw only marginal growth, reflecting stable working hours across most sectors.
While overall salary growth remains relatively flat, the structure of earnings is clearly evolving. More roles now sit above the national average, even though the top-paying industries remain largely unchanged.
Financial intermediation continues to dominate as the highest-paying sector, with average monthly earnings reaching R80,573. This keeps it firmly ahead of other industries. Electricity, gas, and water supply follows closely, offering average salaries of R75,492.
Technology-driven roles are also performing strongly. Jobs in computer and related activities now command an average of R70,513 per month, reinforcing the growing value of digital skills in the economy.
Other high-paying sectors include air transport, water purification services, engineering, and banking. These industries continue to attract top talent due to their competitive pay structures and specialized skill demands.
On the lower end of the spectrum, hospitality workers remain among the lowest paid. Employees in hotels and restaurants earn an average of just R12,168 per month. Similarly, workers in textile and apparel manufacturing earn relatively low wages compared to other sectors.
The latest breakdown covers 91 job categories within South Africa’s formal non-agricultural sector. Notably, more than half of these roles now offer salaries above the national average, highlighting a gradual improvement in income distribution across industries.
This shift suggests that while headline salary growth appears slow, the diversity of higher-paying roles is increasing. As a result, more South Africans are finding opportunities to earn above the average, particularly in skilled and technical fields.
Looking ahead, sectors such as finance, energy, and technology are expected to maintain their dominance. However, the steady rise in higher-paying roles across other industries could signal a more balanced labour market in the coming years.
