How we calculate salaries

Every figure on SalaryScope is an estimate. Here is how we get there.

Sources

• Stats SA Quarterly Labour Force Survey and Quarterly Employment Statistics.
• Published South African recruitment salary guides and advertised job salaries.
• Public sector pay scales and bargaining council agreements where they apply.

Pay levels

We show monthly gross pay for entry (0-2 years), mid (3-5 years) and senior (6+ years) levels. Ranges reflect typical pay, not the extremes.

City figures

Where city data is thin, we adjust the national figure: Johannesburg +5%, Cape Town -3%, Durban -8%, Pretoria in line with national. These are labelled as estimates.

Take-home pay

Net pay uses SARS income tax brackets for people under 65, the primary rebate and UIF at 1% capped at R177.12 a month. It excludes medical aid, pension and other deductions.

Reviews

Figures are reviewed every quarter. Last review: Reviewed Q4 2026.