The average farmer 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.
Farmers who received bonuses in 2021 reported bonuses ranging from 0% to 4% of their annual salary. Farmers received bonuses ranging from R1,000 to R98,000 per year.
In 2021, men earned the highest wages among farmers. Men earned an average monthly salary of R10,300.00, while women earned R9,510.00. A male farmer’s salary is 7% higher than a female farmer’s salary.
A farmer’s salary is determined by a variety of factors. Here are the factors that influence a farmer’s salary in South Africa.
Factors that affect the salary of a farmer in South Africa
Level of Education
A farmer’s salary is heavily influenced by his or her level of education. In South Africa, a farmer can work without a tertiary qualification. Farmers 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. Farmers who have a diploma earn 65% more than farmers who only have a high school certificate.
Farmers’ 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 farmer is lower than that of most professions in South Africa.
The salary of a farmer 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 Farmer based on their level of experience
Salary of a farmer with 0 – 2 years of work experience in 2023Â
A farmer 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.
Farmers 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 farmers’ salaries.
Salary of a farmer with 3 – 5 years of work experience in 2023Â
A farmer 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 farmers with 0 to 2 years of experience.
Farmers with three years of expertise earn the least in this category, earning R6,800.00 per month. Farmers with 5 years of experience earn the highest salaries in this category, with an average monthly salary of R8,470.00.
Salary of a farmer with 6 – 10 years of work experience in 2023
A farmer 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 farmers with 3 to 5 years of experience.
Farmers 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.
Farmers with 10 years of experience earn the highest salaries in this category, with an average monthly salary of R11,100.00.
Salary of a farmer with 11 – 15 years of work experience in 2023Â
A farmer 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 farmers with 6 to 10 years of experience.
Farmers 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 farmer with 16 – 20 years of work experience in 2023Â
A farmer 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.
Farmers with 20+ years of experience are the highest earners of all farmers, earning an average monthly salary of R14,500.00. A farmer’s monthly salary can be as high as R18,500.00.
Conclusion
Farmers’ salaries do not rise as rapidly as those of other professions in South Africa. A farmer’s salary can rise by up to 220% over the course of their career. Moreover, a diploma can help a farmer earn a higher salary, but due to job scarcity, a farmer’s bargaining power is limited.
