In 2024, the average general worker salary in South Africa earns R11,564.00. A General Worker’s salary is primarily determined by the company for which he or she works. Furthermore, the province and city in which one resides are very important.
The following companies pay the highest wages for general workers in South Africa:
| # | Company Name | Average Monthly Salary |
| 1 | Kusile Power Station | R16,726.00 |
| 2 | SSL | R13,550.00 |
| 3 | DHL | R12,63100 |
| 4 | Impala Platinum Mine | R12,632.00 |
| 5 | Modikwa Platinum Mine | R11,975.00 |
| 6 | Unitrans | R11,535.00 |
| 7 | Coca-Cola Beverages Africa | R11,393.00 |
| 8 | Eskom Holdings Limited | R10,612.00 |
| 9 | Sasol | R10,288.00 |
Working for one of the companies listed above can help general workers earn a higher-than-average salary. Mining companies are the highest-paying employers in South Africa for general workers.
Aside from the company, the city in which one works plays an important role. The cities in South Africa with the highest average income for General Workers are listed below.
| # | City | Average Salary |
| 1 | Cape Town, Western Cape | R16,116.00 |
| 2 | Bloemfontein, Free State | R14,408.00 |
| 3 | Mpumalanga | R13,760.00 |
| 4 | Johannesburg, Gauteng | R9,183.00 |
| 5 | Polokwane, Limpopo | R8,199.00 |
| 6 | Durban, KwaZulu-Natal | R7,280.00 |
| 7 | Pretoria , Gauteng | R7,067.00 |
| 8 | Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape | R6,913.00 |
A General Worker’s job also includes bonuses for increased earnings. A General Worker’s annual bonus in South Africa is R8,000.00.
The salary of a general worker varies slightly depending on the level of experience. Below, general workers’ salaries are broken down based on their level of experience.
Average General Worker salary with 1 year of work experience in 2024
A General Worker with 1 year of experience can expect to earn R5,800.00 per month on average. In South Africa, the starting salary for a General Worker with 1 year of experience is R3,500.00. This minimum salary is primarily earned by general workers in peri-urban areas.
In South Africa, the highest salary a general worker with one year of experience can earn is R8,000.00. This is a typical salary for general workers in the private sector.
Average General Worker salary with 2 – 5 years of work experience in 2024
A General Worker with 2 to 5 years of experience earns an average monthly salary of R8,500.00. The salary represents a 31% increase over the average salary of General Workers with 1 year of experience.
General workers who work at mining companies are the highest paid in this category. A general worker with 2 to 5 years of experience working in a mine earns an average monthly salary of R9,350.00.
The highest monthly salary that a general worker in this category can earn is R10,800.00, which is earned by General Workers with 5 years of work experience. The lowest salary in this category is R4,600.00 per month, which is likely to be earned by General Workers with 2 years of experience.
Average General Worker salary with 6 – 10 years of work experience in 2024
A General Worker with 6 to 10 years of experience earns an average monthly salary of R11,000.00. The salary is a 22% increase over the average salary of General Workers with 2 to 5 years of experience.
A general worker with 10 years of experience earns the most in this category, with an average monthly salary of R11,600.00. Those with 10 years of experience and a decade of employment with the same employer can earn up to R12,300 per month.
General workers with less than six years of experience earn the least in this category. A general worker with 6 years of experience earns an average monthly salary of R10,250.00.
Average General Worker salary with 11 – 15 years of work experience in 2024
A General Worker with 11 to 15 years of experience earns an average monthly salary of R12,500.00. The salary represents an 11.8% increase over the average salary of General Workers with 6 to 10 years of experience.
General Workers with 11 years of experience earn the least in this category, with an average monthly salary of R11,800.00. General Workers with 15 years of experience earn the highest salaries in this category, with an average monthly salary of R12,800.00.
Average General Worker salary with 16 – 20 years of work experience in 2024
The average monthly salary for General Workers with 16 to 20 years of experience is R13,639.00. The salary represents a 9% increase over the average salary of General Workers with 11 to 15 years of experience.
General Workers with 20 years of experience earn the most in this category, with an average monthly salary of R13,900.00. A General Worker’s monthly salary can exceed R20,000.00 for those with 20+ years of experience, particularly those working in mines.
Conclusion
General workers are employed in a variety of industries in South Africa, and not all industries pay the same wage to general workers. Working in mines or for the government can help a general worker earn more than the average wage. Additionally, staying in the same job can help you earn a higher salary as a general worker.
