2026 comparison
Boilermaker vs Electrician salary in South Africa
Higher paying career: Boilermaker. Approximate monthly difference: R12 000.
Entry, mid, senior pay, demand, difficulty and long-term career upside.
Boilermaker
High demand · N2/N3 + apprenticeship + trade test
EntryR14 000
MidR38 000
SeniorR60 000
Top 20%R95 000
Electrician
High demand · N3 + Trade Test (Red Seal)
EntryR12 000
MidR32 000
SeniorR48 000
Top 20%R80 000
Salary breakdown
Entry
R14 000
R12 000
Mid
R38 000
R32 000
Senior
R60 000
R48 000
Top 20%
R95 000
R80 000
Demand
Boilermaker8/10
Electrician9/10
Difficulty
Boilermaker6/10
Electrician6/10
Salary difference
+R12 000
Compare the Boilermaker salary in South Africa with how much Electricians earn at senior level.
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Higher paying career: Boilermaker. The senior-level gap is about R12 000 per month, based on R60 000 for Boilermaker compared with R48 000 for Electrician.
Career alternatives
Higher earning
Boilermaker
Easier entry
Boilermaker
Better long-term
Electrician
Skills / requirements
Fabrication
Boilermaker needs this
Less central
Blueprint reading
Boilermaker needs this
Less central
Welding
Boilermaker needs this
Less central
Safety management
Boilermaker needs this
Less central
Wireman's licence
Less central
Electrician needs this
Industrial / PLC
Less central
Electrician needs this
Career progression
Boilermaker
Apprentice BoilermakerR12 000
BoilermakerR38 000
Senior BoilermakerR60 000
ForemanR75 000
Electrician
ApprenticeR8 000
Qualified ElectricianR25 000
Senior / WiremanR40 000
ForemanR55 000
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