The average secretary salary in South Africa is R14,410.00 per month. Secretaries are highly respected members of the corporate world because they are the go-to people for customers, clients, employers, and company owners.
In South Africa, the salary of a Secretary varies according to gender. Women earn more than men working as secretaries. In South Africa, women earn 12% more than men working as secretaries. This makes the position of Secretary one of the few in which women outearn men in terms of income.
Bonuses and incentives can supplement a Secretary’s salary. Secretaries receive annual bonuses ranging from R2,000.00 to R24,000.00. In 2021, only 32% of Secretaries received bonuses, while 68% did not. Bonuses were not previously available to secretaries, but they are now as companies adjust to accommodate good performance by secretaries.
A Secretary’s salary is also influenced by a variety of factors. Below, we look at the factors that influence a Secretary’s salary.
A Secretary’s level of education has a significant impact on their salary. A secretary with only a high school education earns an average monthly salary of R8,530.00. A Diploma holder earns an average monthly salary of R13,400.00. The average salary of a Secretary with a diploma is 57% higher than that of a Secretary with a high school education.
A Secretary’s salary rises even more for those with a bachelor’s degree. A Secretary with a Bachelor’s degree earns an average monthly salary of R22,500.00. The salary is 68% higher than the average salary for a Secretary.
The employer where a Secretary works influences their salary. Rand Water, with an average salary of R203,777.00 per year, and the Industrial Development Corporation, with an average salary of R239,081 per year, are two of the best companies to work for as a secretary (Payscale).
The city in which a Secretary works also has an impact on their salary. The cities with the lowest pay for Secretaries are in the peri-urban areas, while the cities with the highest pay are in the urban areas. Here is a list of the cities with the highest average pay for Secretaries:
| # | City | Average Monthly Salary |
| 1 | Bellville, Western Cape | R19,533.00 |
| 2 | Cape Town, Western Cape | R18,559.00 |
| 3 | Pretoria, Gauteng | R12,008.00 |
| 4 | Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape | R11,971.00 |
| 5 | Sandton, Gauteng | R11,728.00 |
| 6 | Durban, KwaZulu-Natal | R11,547.00 |
| 7 | Witbank, Mpumalanga | R9,235.00 |
The city of employment, the employer, and the level of education are all factors that influence a Secretary’s salary. Another factor that influences a Secretary’s salary is their level of experience in the field. Below, we examine the salary of a Secretary based on their level of experience.
A Secretary with 0 to 2 years of experience earns an average monthly salary of R7,480.00. Those with 0 years of experience earn the least in this category, with an average monthly salary of R6,590.00.
Secretaries with 2 years of experience earn the highest salaries in this category, with an average monthly salary of R8,700.00. At this point, bonuses can supplement a Secretary’s salary.
A Secretary with 3 to 5 years of experience can expect to earn R9,990.00 per month on average. The salary represents a 34% increase over the average salary of Secretaries with 0 to 2 years of experience.
Secretaries with 5 years of experience earn the highest salaries in this category, with an average monthly salary of R12,800.00. Secretaries with three years of work experience earn the lowest salaries in this category, with an average monthly salary of R9,300.00.
A Secretary with 6 to 10 years of experience earns an average monthly salary of R14,800.00. The salary represents a 48% increase in salary over the average salary of Secretaries with 3 to 5 years of experience.
Secretaries with 10 years of experience earn the highest salaries, earning an average of R16,000.00 per month. Secretaries with 6 years of experience earn the lowest salaries in this category, with an average monthly salary of R13,500.00.
A Secretary with 11 to 15 years of experience earns an average monthly salary of R18,000.00. The salary represents a 22% increase over the average salary of Secretaries with 6 to 10 years of experience.
Secretaries with 11 to 12 years of experience earn the lowest salaries in this category, with an average monthly salary of R16,750.00. Secretaries with 15 years of experience earn the highest monthly salary in this category which is R18,600.00.
A Secretary with 16 to 20 years of experience earns an average monthly salary of R19,600.00. The salary represents a 9% increase over the average salary of Secretaries with 11 to 15 years of experience.
Secretaries with 20+ years of experience earn the most, with an average monthly salary of R21,200.00. The highest monthly salary for a Secretary is R22,800.00 for those with a bachelor’s degree and more than 20 years of experience in the field.
Secretaries earn a modest salary, and those who want to advance in the field should pursue a Bachelor’s degree. Getting a degree and combining it with working for a rewarding employer and living in a good city can help you earn a higher salary as a Secretary.
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