30 High-Paying Jobs in South Africa for 2025
The 2025 salary survey by Robert Walters has unveiled fascinating insights into South Africa’s job market, including the top-paying jobs for professionals across various sectors. With a focus on corporate roles, the survey highlights positions with earning potentials that reflect high demand for skills and extensive experience. Here are the 30 highest-paying jobs professionals can aspire to in South Africa this year.
1. Chief Risk Officer
• Sector: Business & Financial Services
• Salary Range: R1,700,000 – R3,500,000
2. Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
• Sector: Business & Financial Services
• Salary Range: R2,000,000 – R3,500,000
3. Head of Internal Audit
• Sector: Legal
• Salary Range: R1,400,000 – R2,800+
4. General Counsel
• Sector: Legal
• Salary: R2,800,000
5. Head of Legal
• Sector: Legal
• Salary Range: R1,500,000 – R2,800+
6. General Manager (Accounting & Finance)
• Sector: Accounting & Finance
• Salary: R2,700,000
7. CEO (Small and Medium Enterprise)
• Sector: Accounting & Finance
• Salary Range: R1,450,000 – R2,700+
8. Relationship Manager / Corporate Banker
• Sector: Business & Financial Services
• Salary Range: R950,000 – R2,500,000
9. Private Equity / Corporate Finance
• Sector: Business & Financial Services
• Salary Range: R1,250,000 – R2,500,000
10. Group Tax Manager
• Sector: Accounting & Finance
• Salary Range: R1,500,000 – R2,500,000
11. Chief Operating Officer (COO)
• Sector: Accounting & Finance
• Salary Range: R1,000,000 – R2,500,000
12. Commercial Director
• Sector: Accounting & Finance
• Salary Range: R1,500,000 – R2,500,000
13. Junior Director
• Sector: Legal
• Salary: R2,200,000
14. Equity Director
• Sector: Legal
• Salary Range: R1,500,000 – R2,200,000
15. Qualified Chartered Accountant (CA)
• Sector: Business & Financial Services
• Salary Range: R1,500,000 – R2,200,000
16. Investment Analyst (CA plus CFA)
• Sector: Business & Financial Services
• Salary Range: R1,350,000 – R2,200,000
17. Actuary
• Sector: Business & Financial Services
• Salary Range: R1,400,000 – R2,200,000
18. Head of Finance / Finance Executive
• Sector: Business & Financial Services
• Salary Range: R1,600,000 – R2,200,000
19. Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
• Sector: Technology
• Salary Range: R1,700,000 – R2,100,000
20. HR Director
• Sector: Human Resources
• Salary Range: R1,300,000 – R2,000,000
21. Strategy Consultant
• Sector: Business & Financial Services
• Salary Range: R1,300,000 – R2,000,000
22. Finance Manager
• Sector: Accounting & Finance
• Salary Range: R1,300,000 – R1,800,000
23. Senior Team Lead (Technology)
• Sector: Technology
• Salary Range: R1,300,000 – R1,800,000
24. Senior Data Analytics Manager
• Sector: Technology
• Salary Range: R1,400,000 – R1,700,000
25. Lead Cybersecurity Engineer
• Sector: Technology
• Salary Range: R1,300,000 – R1,700,000
26. Senior Manager Applications Development
• Sector: Technology
• Salary Range: R1,200,000 – R1,700,000
27. Business Analyst
• Sector: Business & Financial Services
• Salary Range: R1,100,000 – R1,600,000
28. Quant Risk Analyst
• Sector: Business & Financial Services
• Salary Range: R1,100,000 – R1,600,000
29. Treasury Specialist
• Sector: Business & Financial Services
• Salary Range: R1,000,000 – R1,600,000
30. Technology Risk Specialist
• Sector: Technology
• Salary Range: R1,200,000 – R1,500,000
Key Takeaways
• High-earning potential: Top professionals in South Africa can earn up to R3.5 million annually.
• Sector-specific demand: Technology, legal, financial services, and human resources dominate the high-paying job spectrum.
• Experience counts: Most top earners have over a decade of experience in their respective fields.
• Skills shortage: Despite the high unemployment rate, critical skills remain in demand, particularly in specialized fields.
This report highlights how skills, experience, and sectoral demand shape South Africa’s professional earning potential in 2025.
