The average farm worker salary in South Africa is R9,950.00 per month. Farmers in South Africa receive bonuses, but only 29% of all farmers in South Africa received bonuses in 2021. According to Salary Explorer, 71% of farmers received no bonuses or incentives in 2021.
Farm Workers who received bonuses in 2021 reported bonuses ranging from 0% to 4% of their annual salary. Farm Workers received bonuses ranging from R1,000 to R98,000 per year.
In 2021, men earned the highest wages among farm worker. Men earned an average monthly salary of R10,300.00, while women earned R9,510.00. A male farm worker’s salary is 7% higher than a female farm worker’s salary.
A farm worker’s salary is determined by a variety of factors. Here are the factors that influence a farm worker’s salary in South Africa.
Factors that affect the salary of a farm worker in South Africa
Level of Education
A farm worker’s salary is heavily influenced by his or her level of education. In South Africa, a farm worker can work without a tertiary qualification. farm worker with high school certificates are currently the lowest-paid farmers in the country, with an average monthly salary of R8,170.00.
Diploma holders are the highest paid in South Africa, with an average monthly salary of R13,500.00. Farm worker who have a diploma earn 65% more than farm workers who only have a high school certificate.
Farm worker’ wages rise in line with their level of education. As a result, there is a link between a farmer’s salary and his or her level of education.
Employer
Farms in South Africa are privately owned, and farmer wages vary. Each employer has their own salary range and can dictate the salary and benefits that an employee can receive. As a farmer, it is ideal to seek employment where the employer provides a higher salary and good working conditions.
However, because of the high level of competition, the salary of a farm worker is lower than that of most professions in South Africa.
The salary of a farm worker is also affected by their level of experience in the field. Below, we examine the salary of a farmer in South Africa based on their level of experience.
Salary of a farm worker based on their level of experience
Salary of a farm worker with 0 – 2 years of work experience
A farm worker with 0 to 2 years of experience can expect to earn R5,780.00 per month on average. Farmers can begin their careers with very low salaries. A farmer with no work experience can expect to earn between R3,550.00 and R5,000.00 per month.
Farm workers with 2 years of experience earn the most in this category, with an average monthly salary of R6,200.00. At this stage, employers can provide bonuses to employees to supplement farm workers’ salaries.
Salary of a farmer with 3 – 5 years of work experience
A farm worker with 3 to 5 years of experience can expect to earn R7,430.00 per month on average. The salary represents a 29% increase over the average salary of farm workers with 0 to 2 years of experience.
Farm workers with three years of expertise earn the least in this category, earning R6,800.00 per month. Farm workers with 5 years of experience earn the highest salaries in this category, with an average monthly salary of R8,470.00.
Salary of a farm worker with 6 – 10 years of work experience
A farm worker with 6 to 10 years of experience can expect to earn R10,200.00 per month on average. The salary represents a 38% increase over the average salary of farm workers with 3 to 5 years of experience.
Farm workers in this category see a significant increase in pay as they reach the midpoint of their careers. Those with 6 years of experience earn the least in this category, with an average monthly salary of R8,900.00.
Farm workers with 10 years of experience earn the highest salaries in this category, with an average monthly salary of R11,100.00.
Salary of a farm worker with 11 – 15 years of work experience
A farm worker with 11 to 15 years of experience can expect to earn R12,700.00 per month on average. The salary represents a 24% increase over the average salary of farm workers with 6 to 10 years of experience.
Farm workers with 15 years of experience earn the highest salaries in this category, with an average monthly salary of R13,000.00. Those with 11 years of experience earn the least in this category, with an average monthly salary of R11,790.00.
Salary of a farm worker with 16 – 20 years of work experience
A farm worker with 16 to 20 years of experience earns an average monthly salary of R13,600.00. The salary represents a 7% increase over the average salary of farmers with 11 to 15 years of experience.
Farm workers with 20+ years of experience are the highest earners of all farmers, earning an average monthly salary of R14,500.00. A farm worker’s monthly salary can be as high as R18,500.00.
Conclusion
Farm workers’ salaries do not rise as rapidly as those of other professions in South Africa. A farm worker’s salary can rise by up to 220% over the course of their career. Moreover, a diploma can help a farm worker earn a higher salary, but due to job scarcity, a farm worker’s bargaining power is limited.
