The Average Salary in South Africa at the end of 2025

Stats SA has published the latest Quarterly Employment Survey (QES) for the third quarter of 2025, showing that the average salary in the country has hit a record high.

The average salary paid to formal, non-agricultural workers in South Africa grew 0.3% quarter-on-quarter and 4.3% year-on-year to R29,490.

The increase in earnings was driven by key industries, with the manufacturing industry experiencing the fastest growth.

This was followed by the transport, construction and business services sectors. Trade, community services and electricity earnings declined in the quarter.

On a year-on-year basis, the community services industry reported the largest annual increase at 6.1%, while the business services industry had the lowest growth at 2.1%.

Conversely, the mining industry declined year-on-year by 0.8%.

Notably, the community services industry includes the government and public service sector.

Gross earnings paid to employees increased by R10.7 billion or 1,1% from R990 billion in June 2025 to just over R1 trillion in September 2025.

This was due to increases in the business services, community services, mining, manufacturing, electricity and construction. Transport and trade reported a decrease in gross earnings.

Year-on-year gross earnings increased by R31.2 billion or 3,2% between September 2024 and September 2025.

Source: Business tech