SalaryScope South Africa logo
2026 comparison

Compliance Officer vs Actuary salary in South Africa

Compare salary, demand, difficulty, and long-term growth to choose the right career path.

Quick answer

Compliance Officer vs Actuary in South Africa

Higher paying career
Actuary
Monthly difference
R45 000
Easier to enter
Compliance Officer
Better long-term
Actuary

Winner summary

Winner for salary
Actuary (+R45 000/month)
Easier entry
Compliance Officer
Best long-term
Actuary
Verdict

Choose Actuary if your goal is higher income and long-term growth.

Choose Compliance Officer if your goal is faster entry and lower barriers.

Career overview

Compliance Officer

Demand: 8/10

Salary guide
Requirements

Law, finance or risk-related degree.

  • Compliance qualification
  • FAIS/FICA knowledge
Salary
EntryR25 000
MidR60 000
SeniorR95 000
Top 20%R150 000

Actuary

Demand: 8/10

Salary guide
Requirements

BSc Actuarial Science + ASSA exams.

  • Actuarial Science degree
  • ASSA exams
  • Strong maths
Salary
EntryR35 000
MidR85 000
SeniorR140 000
Top 20%R230 000

Salary breakdown

Entry
Compliance OfficerR25 000
ActuaryR35 000
Mid
Compliance OfficerR60 000
ActuaryR85 000
Senior
Compliance OfficerR95 000
ActuaryR140 000
Top 20%
Compliance OfficerR150 000
ActuaryR230 000

Demand and difficulty

Demand

Compliance Officer (8/10)8/10
Actuary (8/10)8/10

Difficulty

Compliance Officer (6/10)6/10
Actuary (10/10)10/10
Salary difference
+R45 000/month

The salary gap at senior level is about R45 000 per month. Actuary earns more due to higher demand and stronger salary growth at senior level.

See full Actuary salary in South Africa →

Key questions

Which pays more in South Africa?

Actuary pays more, with senior salaries around R140 000 per month compared to R95 000 for Compliance Officer.

Which is easier to enter?

Compliance Officer is easier to enter due to lower difficulty and more accessible requirements.

Which is better long-term?

Actuary offers stronger long-term potential based on higher salary ceilings and demand.

Detailed comparison

When comparing Compliance Officer vs Actuary in South Africa, the senior-level salary difference is R45 000 per month.

Compliance Officer is better for quicker entry into the workforce. Actuary is better for long-term earnings and career growth.

Skills and requirements

Compliance Officer

Core skills
  • Regulatory knowledgeHigh
  • Risk assessmentHigh
  • ReportingMedium

Actuary

Core skills
  • Statistical modellingHigh
  • Financial riskHigh
  • ASSA exam progressHigh

Side by side

Regulatory knowledge
Compliance Officer needs this
Less central
Risk assessment
Compliance Officer needs this
Less central
Reporting
Compliance Officer needs this
Less central
Statistical modelling
Less central
Actuary needs this
Financial risk
Less central
Actuary needs this
ASSA exam progress
Less central
Actuary needs this

Career progression

Compliance Officer

Compliance AnalystR32 000
Compliance OfficerR60 000
Senior Compliance OfficerR95 000
Head of ComplianceR150 000

Actuary

Trainee ActuaryR40 000
Actuarial AnalystR85 000
Qualified Actuary (FASSA)R140 000
Chief ActuaryR230 000

Related insights

Compare more careersExplore related comparisonsFind higher paying jobs

More Compliance Officer salary comparisons

Other careers people compare with Compliance Officer salary in South Africa.

See full Compliance Officer salary guide →

More Actuary salary comparisons

Other careers people compare with Actuary salary in South Africa.

See full Actuary salary guide →

Explore related salary guides

Related careers
Risk Analyst salaryR95 000Auditor salaryR85 000
Higher paying alternatives
Municipal Manager salary - higher earning pathR200 000Advocate salary - higher earning pathR170 000
Easier entry careers
Bookkeeper salary - easier entry option3/10IT Support Technician salary - easier entry option3/10
Similar industry salaries
Finance career: Credit Analyst salaryFinance career: Sales Manager salary
Popular career comparisons
Software Engineer vs Data Scientist salary in South AfricaChartered Accountant vs Financial Analyst salary in South Africa
Explore more salary guides
how much Tax Consultants earn in South Africahow much Chartered Accountants earn in South Africahow much Chartered Accountants earn in South Africahow much Ecommerce Managers earn in South Africahow much Real Estate Agents earn in South Africahow much Financial Advisors earn in South Africa
Compare Related Share