The average career counselor salary in South Africa is R25,700.00 a month. A career counselor assists clients in determining appropriate career paths and available positions within those careers. They administer personality and aptitude tests, offer advice, and assess clients’ educational and employment options.
Women are predominant in the field of career counseling. However, men earn more than women who work as career counselors. Women earn 7% less than men, with an average monthly salary of R35,500.00, whereas men earn an average monthly salary of R38,300.00.
Career counselors receive bonuses in addition to their salary. A career counselor’s annual bonus ranges from R1.00 to R30,000.00 (Payscale). In 2023, 56% of career counselors receive a bonus ranging from 3% to 6% of their annual salary.
The salary of a career counselor increases by 12% every 18 months, which is a very large margin. To better understand a career counselor’s salary, we’ll look at the factors that influence a career counselor’s salary below.
Factors that influence the salary of a career counselor
Level of Education
A career counselor’s salary is heavily influenced by his or her level of education. A bachelor’s degree in the relevant field is required for jobs as a career counselor; thus, a bachelor’s degree is required to become a career counselor.
A postgraduate degree holder earns more than a bachelor’s degree holder as a career counselor. A career counselor with a bachelor’s degree earns an average monthly salary of R26,900.00, according to Salary Explorer data.
According to the same study, the average salary of a career counselor with a master’s degree is R43,200.00 per month, master’s degree holders earn 60% more than bachelor’s degree holders.
Employer
The employer where a career counselor works can make or break their earnings potential. Employers can allow career counselors to earn bonuses and other benefits. Employers can also help career counselors by contributing to the monthly premiums for medical aid, provident fund, and pension fund.
City of Employment
The city in which a career counselor works also affects their salary. For career counselors in South Africa, salaries vary by city. Cities with high pay are located in South Africa’s most developed provinces, such as the Western Cape and Gauteng.
A career counselor’s level of experience in the field also influences their salary. The discussion below details how the level of experience affects a career counselor’s salary in South Africa.
Salary of career counselors based on their level of experience in the field
Salary of a career counselor with 0 – 2 years of work experience in 2024
A career counselor with 0 to 2 years of experience can expect to earn R21,600 per month on average. Career counselors with 0 to 1 year of experience earn the least in this category, with an average monthly salary of R18,200.00.
Career counselors with 2 years of experience earn the highest salaries in this group, with an average monthly salary of R22,900.00. With 2 years of experience and a master’s degree, career counselors can earn up to R25,000 per month.
Salary of a career counselor with 3 – 5 years of work experience in 2024
A career counselor with 3 to 5 years of experience can expect to earn R27,700.00 per month on average. The salary represents a 29% increase over the average salary of career counselors with 0 to 2 years of experience.
Career counselors with 5 years of experience earn the most in this category, with an average monthly salary of R31,600.00. Career counselors with 3 years of experience earn the least in this category, with an average monthly salary of R26,100.00.
Salary of a career counselor with 6 – 10 years of work experience in 2024
A career counselor with 6 to 10 years of experience can expect to earn R38,300.00 per month on average. The salary represents a 38% increase over the average salary of career counselors with 3 to 5 years of experience.
Career counselors with 10 years of experience earn the most in this category, with an average monthly salary of R42,400.00. Career counselors with 6 years of experience earn the least in this category, with an average monthly salary of R33,800.00.
Salary of a career counselor with 11 – 15 years of work experience in 2024
A career counselor with 11 to 15 years of experience can expect to earn R47,400.00 per month on average. The salary represents a 24% increase over the average salary of career counselors with 6 to 10 years of experience.
Career counselors with 15 years of experience earn the highest salary in this group, with an average monthly salary of R49,000.00. Those with 11 years of work experience earn the least in this category, with an average monthly salary of R44,900.00.
Salary of a career counselor with 16 – 20 years of work experience in 2024
A career counselor with 16 to 20 years of experience can expect to earn an average monthly salary of R50,800.00. The salary represents a 7% increase over the average salary of career counselors with 11 to 15 years of experience.
Career counselors with 20 years of experience earn the highest salaries in this group, with an average monthly salary of R54,200.00. Career counselors with a master’s degree and 20+ years of experience can earn up to R58,000.00 per month.
Conclusion
Career counselors are among the best-paid professionals in South Africa, and those who stay in the field for up to or more than 15 years can expect significant salary increases. When compared to those with a bachelor’s degree, earning a master’s degree in the field can help one earn more money.
