Top 30 Most In-Demand Jobs in South Africa
One of the cultural and commercial capitals of the entire African continent, South Africa––with its strong GDP and robust economy––is a one-of-a-kind landscape for job seekers. With its lush, natural rural beauty that blends seamlessly with fast-paced, urban areas of high finance and business––not to mention a fairly low cost of living––the opportunities for finding affordable housing and commuting to a rewarding career are endless.
When it comes time for you to find work, the best way to set yourself apart from the rest is by getting an idea of the most in-demand jobs in South Africa right now. But before you dive into a job search, consider this: what skills are in high demand in South Africa? Once you have a solid understanding of which industry skills are on the rise, you will be much better prepared come interview time.
In this article, we’ll tell you about the most important skills needed, and the most in-demand jobs in South Africa.
Which Skills Are in High Demand in South Africa?
1. Information Technology
Interpreting data, and predicting people’s online habits (shopping, streaming video, reading news sources) is an entire industry––and the key players at the forefront of keeping that industry working are those in South Africa’s Information Technology industry.
2. Banking/High Finance
South Africa’s business hubs––Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Cape Town––include some of the continent’s largest financial firms. And despite the damage to key global business markets due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the recovery is strong. As a result, candidates with financial skills are in-demand,
3. Languages
Companies throughout South Africa recognize the importance of hiring candidates with strong language skills, like translators and linguists, to expand their communication platforms beyond the African market.
Industries: Legal, Marketing, Accounting, Education, Publishing
Job titles: Interpreter, Communications Specialist, Translators
4. Computing / Software
Though relatively new to the digital world, South Africa has been a relevant player in the global tech markets for decades. And those businesses need programmers and developers. Specialized software development skills, frequently used by those who know their way around computer programs, are a growing commodity.
5. Engineering
Solid engineering skills (science, mathematics) are highly sought after in South Africa across all types of industries, especially within the infrastructure and environmental sectors, owing to the country’s abundant natural resources.
Industries: Architecture, Government, City Planning,
Job titles: Agricultural Engineer, Civil Engineering Technologist, Draftsperson
6. Medicine/Nursing
At the height of the global pandemic of 2020, we were reminded of the importance of nurses and medical professionals to our lives (and our economies) –– but especially throughout Africa. While the planet is still reeling from the effects of COVID-19, healthcare in South Africa has taken a hard hit, one from which it will only recover with the right nursing professionals on hand. Post-COVID treatment for those still living with the disease will surely account for thousands of man-hours well into the next decade.
Industries: Private/Public Healthcare, Tourism, Education
Job titles: Intensive Care Nurse, Midwife, Nurse Practitioner, Hospital Administrator
7. Marketing
A valuable skill set that is always in demand, firms throughout South Africa look for candidates with the marketing tools necessary, like analysing demographics and promoting products, services and ideas to audiences. With pandemic restrictions lessening throughout the continent, and major worldwide progress expected by the end of 2024, there is likely to be an increase in growth for well-paying marketing jobs––especially in big cities like Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Industries: Technology, Retail/Wholesale, Hospitality, Tourism
Job titles: SEO Specialist, Digital Marketing Manager, Marketing Editor
8. Customer Service
When individual economies experience hard times, you can often expect rebounds to occur in the form of localised unification and in-spending; when the world economy falls on hard times, the natural rebound occurs in the areas of travel, retail, tourism and hospitality––all of which require dedicated customer service candidates at all levels.
Industries: Retail, Hospitality, Wholesale, Tourism
Job titles: Human Resources Manager, Travel Agent, Company Secretary
Top 30: The Most In-Demand Jobs in South Africa
Average annual salary: R750,000
Job description: South Africa’s supply chain is a delicate industry made up of companies that require skilled candidates to oversee all elements of movement––from distribution to storage––of their materials and products. These highly in-demand positions are vital for the health of local, national, and global markets, which is why they remain so popular.
Average annual salary: R275,000
Job description: Language skills are some of the easiest to learn, which is why multi-lingual candidates are so valued. An important job in just about any industry where international business connections are developed and nurtured, translators are pivotal to many of South Africa’s businesses and are in very high demand.
Average annual salary: R600,000
Job description: Universal demand for software engineers and architects has grown consistently since the early 2000s. And that growth is also prevalent today in South Africa, where such jobs typically feature flexible schedules and large opportunities for advancement.
Average annual salary: R650,000
Job description: Given South Africa’s lush landscape, naturally rich resources, and opportunities for creating more sustainable farming, agriculture is a booming industry. And the key players involved with this movement are the engineers. These relatively new job titles have been steadily growing in popularity.
Average annual salary: R550,000
Job description: Using machine learning technologies to organize information for start-ups and other firms, a Data Scientist is a key player in any organization. A Data Scientist collects and examines information, analyzing it to make sense of it all. Other tasks include examining the correct data sets or variables, collecting large data sets, and looking at patterns and trends.
Average annual salary: R350,000
Job description: Accountants work for clients on just about everything accounting-related, including providing tax advice, payroll, and financial accounting assistance. Accountants can work independently or within established financial institutions.
Average annual salary: R275,000
Job description: Companies employ these types of supervisory positions to protect their staff while ensuring that national workplace safety laws are maintained and enforced. As businesses grow across South Africa, this type of important role will always be in-demand.
Average annual salary: R750,000
Job description: Lawyers provide a necessary service to people in need. And the more experienced and knowledgeable a lawyer is, the more they tend to earn. Attorneys who specialize in criminal law, reading wills, buying/selling a property, or putting together contracts are in high demand because of the importance of the work involved.
Average annual salary: R450,000
Job description: There are many different types of engineering work available throughout South Africa, but one of the most in-demand opportunities is in the infrastructure sector. Because of Africa’s rich natural resources and multi-layered landscape, structural engineers need to be on hand to oversee developments at the building of power plants, hydroelectric dams, highways, and bridges.
Average annual salary: R300,000
Job description: Becoming a medical professional is a strong vocation that requires extensive schooling and practice. Many hospitals across South Africa were short-staffed during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in the creation of many privately run healthcare facilities. Today, both private and public facilities need nurses from all areas of specialization.
Average annual salary: R425,000
Job description: Jobs for talented web developers have become more readily available in South Africa since the early tech boom. With this growth forecasting to rise, tech-savvy candidates with strong software and computer skills are consistently valued and will likely continue to be popular and sought-after positions.
Average annual salary: R350,000
Job description: Office Administrators require many different skills, mostly organizational and communication. These key players contribute to a company’s overall structure and can include responsibilities like hiring new staff, departmental training, and overall business coordination. Office Administrator roles are very in-demand.
Average annual salary: R375,000
Job description: A versatile career opportunity in just about any industry, proofreaders are responsible for identifying and correcting inaccuracies and issues in internal and consumer-facing documents. What an audience thinks of the professionalism of a small business is often down to a proofreader. And because a lot of language proficiency falls onto their shoulders, they are usually well-paid.
Average annual salary: R400,000
Job description: South Africa is experiencing a boom in high finance jobs, specifically investment advisor roles, now that the markets have rebounded from the COVID-19 pandemic. Candidates with strong number-crunching skills who can fill in the gaps for their existing clients are in high demand.
Average annual salary: R250,000
Job description: Despite the debilitating challenges faced by many secondary school teachers in South Africa, especially those from more remote towns trying to work virtually through a pandemic, the demand for new educators is always in demand, and teachers of children are some of the most popular and appreciated jobs in the country.
Average annual salary: R175,000
Job description: Some people have a natural gift for connecting with others and know just the right words to say to sway their decision-making. Call Center Specialists are heavily in demand throughout South Africa for this very reason they help expedite sales, resolve conflicts, and serve as the consumer face of a company.
Average annual salary: R550,000
Job description: Number-crunching and interpersonal skills are typically at the top of the list of requirements for Credit Managers, as they are responsible for optimizing sales while overseeing the credit-granting process of a company. The roles are demanding, but they are also well-paid and in high demand across South Africa.
Average annual salary: R395,000
Job description: These highly in-demand positions require dedicated and skilled candidates to design, plan, develop, and manage construction projects throughout the country––whether it’s the repair of roads, buildings, and railways, or the maintenance of canals, bridges, and coastal systems. Given South Africa’s rural and urban landscapes, these roles remain popular.
Average annual salary: R450,000
Job description: The skills required of a Manufacturing or Operations Manager involve construction, planning, strategy, alignment, and customer service––many of which can be easily learned through basic training. And this is perhaps why there is demand for such manufacturing roles throughout South Africa
Average annual salary: R400,000
Job description: As businesses and consumers in South Africa continue to shift towards online shopping, the need for e-commerce specialists, especially at the mid-senior level, remains extremely high.
Average annual salary: R350,000
Job description: Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers tend to get much of the (deserved) praise, but hospital administrators ensure that healthcare facilities operate smoothly and efficiently so that everybody in need receives help on time. Their roles are heavily important and are very much in demand across South Africa.
Average annual salary: R 500,000
Job description: Combining high-level encryption and computer science skills, plus extensive math skills used for uncovering answers to questions that help major organizations deliver objective decisions to their base, data analyst roles in South Africa are becoming more and more valuable. Best of all, the skills are transferrable, and the jobs pay great money.
Average annual salary: R295,000
Job description: Pilots are some of the most in-demand positions anywhere in Africa. Commercial airline pilots who fly to international destinations are typically paid more than continental or local-haul pilots, but the training required for all flights is the same.
Average annual salary: R300,000
Job description: Information Technology (IT) Managers specialize in the deployment and project design of various solutions affecting online areas of a business. These roles also involve organizing structure, setting up departments, and defining policy and procedure.
Average annual salary: R250,000
Job description: Companies with products or services to sell often need to get their information out to customers using memorable and visually appealing methods. This is where a Graphic Designer usually comes in to save the day. These positions are filled by those with great creative flair, physical and computer design skills, and a solid portfolio of powerful work.
Average annual salary: R375,000
Job description: In this digital age, being able to write technical computer languages like Java is one of the most valued skills one can have. Qualified and talented Java Developers are in high demand in South Africa because they use their programming language abilities to design and develop applications and sites.
Average annual salary: R100,000
Job description: Countless businesses across South Africa require telemarketers to help grow their physical and online sales figures. Telemarketer jobs are highly popular because of the numerous perks, which typically include good pay, remote work opportunities, and provided training.
Average annual salary: R320,000
Job description: Brokers are responsible for overseeing the investment portfolios of clients. They use market research and trends to advise clients (individuals or corporations) on how to best manage their money.
Average annual salary: R200,000
Job description: Resolving customer issues and complaints takes a strong amount of analytical and communication skills––not to mention being a dedicated people person. Customer support may not be for everyone, but the work is rewarding, and South Africa has many specialist roles available.
Average annual salary: R225,000
Job description: Content creators are performers, editors, and writers who have extensive SEO experience and just happen to be very sought after based on a particular point of interest. Whether creating shoppable videos on TikTok and YouTube, posting valuable live streams on Instagram, or hosting your own podcast, if you can attract an audience and encourage them to engage with you, you can make good money.
The Most In-Demand Jobs in South Africa
There you have it! The most in-demand skills and jobs in South Africa. As the country’s workforce continues to evolve, certain job skills will become more sought-after, and filling certain positions will become more important. Be sure to stand out from all other candidates –– know where the demand is highest in South Africa while brushing up on the most popular job skills. And you’re sure to succeed.
Photo by Kyle-Philip Coulson on Unsplash
