This article contains a list of the top 10 highest paying jobs in South Africa.
As much as having a passion for what one does is always advised when choosing a career, it is not enough reason not to build a career in high paying fields. It is important to go for a job that is good enough to pay one’s bills.
Thus, it is not out of place to consider the amount of money to be earned before accepting a job. We all have financial needs and responsibility to cater for and as such, a good salary is one of the factors job-seekers look out for before taking a job.
In the bid to get well-paying jobs, a lot of job seekers have taken to migrating from one country to another in search of greener pastures. South Africa happens to be one of the most sought-after countries for a well-paying job, especially by citizens of other African countries.
As a result of this, this article is to provide very helpful information on the top 10 highest paying jobs in South Africa and they include the following;
TOP 10 HIGHEST PAYING JOBS IN SOUTH AFRICA
1. Medical Specialist
Medical specialists are doctors who are specialized in a particular field of medicine, such as gynaecology, oncology etc. In addition, they can also perform surgery.
The duties of a medical specialist include,
Collecting, recording and maintaining sensitive patient information, results, medical history and records, perform minor surgeries, explains procedures or prescribed treatment to patients etc.
A career in medicine is still one of the top paths to earning a good salary. While the salary can vary according to the type of specialisation, for the most part, specialists have a higher earning potential. This is so because specialists must undergo advanced education and clinical training, unlike general practitioners.
Some of the skills that a medical specialist is expected to have are good communication skills, emotional and social intelligence, attention to details, leadership skills, professionalism etc. Due to the job specification and demands, a medical specialist earns about R 1,123, 890 per annum while a general practitioner earns about R 437,527 per annum.
However, the earning potential of medical specialists vary greatly, but neurosurgeons are the highest-paid. A neurosurgeon is saddled with the responsibility of diagnosing and treating patients with injury, diseases of the brain and peripheral nerves, so to say that the job of a neurologist is beyond brain surgeries. Due to the job specifications, a Neurologist earns around R 1,440, 000.
2. Technical & Business Architecture
This discipline is concerned with the development and maintenance of the business capabilities of enterprises in line with the corporate strategy.
The duties of a business architect include establishing principles and governing policies over interaction with suppliers, establishing dominance in business and winning competitors etc.
A business architect is expected to understand the principles of business, understand how the market influences business, differentiating factors of a business, what and how values are created. This leaves a business analyst with the opportunity of earning R 871,342 annually.
3. Engineering
In South Africa, Petroleum and Industrial Engineering are the highest-paid engineering jobs. Petroleum Engineers locate reservoirs of natural gas and crude beneath the earth’s surface and then decide on whether or not it is worth extracting while Industrial Engineers discover ways of eliminating wastefulness in production processes. They design an efficient system that integrates workers, machines, materials and technology, to make a product or product services.
These two sets of Engineers are expected to possess the following skills, strong technical skills, team working and problem-solving skills, the ability to work under pressure, numerical and analytical skills, IT skills and, Creativity, critical thinking skills and good communication skills.
Petroleum Engineers earn R 694,700 p/a while Highest Median Pay of an Industrial Engineer is R 663,347p/a.
4. I.T Manager
IT managers are responsible for overseeing tech-related operations in the business. They are also expected to build more cost-effective and efficient systems to meet organisational needs. In other words, IT managers are most responsible for planning, coordinating, and directing activities that have to do with the computer and information systems of a company. They are also in charge of the installation and maintenance of hardware and software.
As our world becomes more digital, tech-based roles have increased in value, thereby improving the financial rewards for professionals in these fields. Highest Median Pay of an IT manager is R 663,539 p/a.
5. Management Consultant
Management consultants help businesses grow and improve by solving problems and finding new and better ways of approaching things that could benefit the company.
This is to say that management consultants help the organization to improve its performance through analysis of existing organizational problems.
A management consultant earns between R392,000 to R625,038 p/a.
6. Financial Manager
They are responsible for overseeing the financial statement of an organization. They produce financial reports, direct investment activities, strategies and plans for long-term financial goals of a company.
They equally undertake system maintenance and administration functions. The nature of the job makes them work alongside with IT department in order to plan, develop and launch a strong finance system
They earn around R 619,000 to R 1,440,000 p/a.
7. Actuary
An actuary is a business professional who deals with the measurement and management of risk and uncertainties, which could negatively affect both sides of the balance sheet or calculates financial values associated with uncertain events subject to risks, such as insurance premiums or pension contributions.
As a result of the nature of the job, an actuary should have qualifications in mathematics, statistics, economics, finance and have a good business sense. In addition, actuaries should possess important skills such as analytical skills, asset and liability management.
An Actuary earns R 550,656 p/a
8. Accountant
Accountants are saddled with the responsibility of examining and preparing financial reports. Chartered accountants are responsible for ensuring that financial records are accurate and filed on time. To start off their career they need to have an accounting degree from an accredited SAICA university. Skills that earn accountants more money include budget management, evaluation and management auditing and financial analysis.
In SA, a qualified accountant has an earning potential of R 482,649p/a
9. Pilot
Just like doctors, being a pilot is one job that can not be done by just anybody. The duties of a pilot like we all know involves transporting people and cargos from one destination to another using an aircraft. Before one can become a pilot, the person must have undergone years of training.
A pilot needs to possess a high level of confidence, good time management, multi-tasking and problem-solving skills. These are the core needed skills. In South Africa, not too many people have these skills required to become a pilot and as such, pilots are in high demand.
The Average Salary of Pilots in South Africa R39,733 per month and yearly earnings of R476,794.
10. Software Engineer
A Software engineer or developer is an individual who applies the principles of software engineering to the designing, development, maintenance, testing, and evaluation of computer software. In other words, software engineers design, develop and maintain software programs. A software engineer needs to have a good knowledge of coding and programming.
Some of them develop applications that help people complete tasks on the computer or other devices. Software engineers are one of the most sought after professionals in South Africa and the annual salary of a software developer ranges from R 462,000 to R1.2 million p/a.
BOTTOM LINE
With these expositions, I believe it will help you in a wise career choice especially those in South Africa and others who are planning to relocate.
So, these are the top 10 highest paying jobs in South Africa. Another thing you may wish to know is that Cape Town is the highest paying city in S.A.
It is, however, important to note that the salaries of professionals in different fields are affected by a number of factors like; the kind of company they work for, the industry, years of experience, level of expertise, location and in some cases, gender. This is why some professionals in the same field may take home more annual and monthly salary than their colleagues. Also, knowing the salary expectation of a particular career before going into it is very necessary.
