Times are tough for young people in South Africa. Unemployment is extremely high, and there is tough competition for jobs. At one point in the ever-distant past, it was thought that having degrees or diplomas would be a guarantee of a good job, but that is no longer the case.
At Adzuna, we’ve been analysing the content of all our live job ads from a huge range of employers in South Africa. Our aim has been to determine whether jobs requiring degrees pay more than those that don’t and which degrees land the highest rates of pay.
Top Subjects for Degrees and Diplomas
According to our research, South Africans with an Economics degree earn the most, with an average annual salary of R620,000. Medical graduates follow closely at R535,000, Engineers at R388,000, and Software Engineers at R375,000.
Bottom Paying Sectors
Art, Marketing, and Humanities degrees sit at the bottom of the table, with graduates from those disciplines earning the least. With a nationwide average of 86 graduates for every entry-level vacancy, it’s clear that those with art, marketing, and humanities degrees are going to have to work hard to get their first job.
High Paying Jobs That Don’t Need a Degree
Our data shows that you don’t need to have a degree to get a high-paying job. Legal assistants can earn up to R620,000, Electricians R460,373, Financial Advisors R420,876, and Miners R383,214. A high salary and no student debt could be an attractive alternative for young people planning on going to university!
What are the Advantages of Holding Degrees and Diplomas?
Studying in South Africa is a lucrative undertaking. To begin with, one can negotiate their study schedules with employers, whether for part-time or full-time studies. This gives an opportunity for most people to generate income while still in school. There are also numerous other advantages, including:
- Becoming a respected professional
- Increased chances of promotion
- Increased chances for higher paying jobs across all industries
- Having a degree or other tertiary income impacts the economy of the country positively
- Higher possibilities of being internationally qualified and able to work abroad depend on your choice of career and institution.
Of course, the biggest advantage of having tertiary education in South Africa is the attractive salary that comes with the status. According to reports by Adzuna, the average salary advertised for job listings that indicate degree requirement is about R487,050 (R40,000 per month).
Wrapping Up
Unfortunately, a degree in South Africa does not automatically translate into employment. 2022 has been marred with many political issues and economic upheavals. This makes it challenging for people with degrees to get jobs. Similar to their counterparts without degrees.
To make matters worse, some companies are even laying off employees with degrees. This is due to a fear of them demanding increased salaries in these hard economic times. All research findings point to the fact that having a degree can greatly boost an individual’s earnings. Yet, one should be prepared to apply for jobs demanding fewer qualifications. To increase the chances of landing a job, one should also be a member of organizations that can help them network with professionals in the same industry.
If you’re a South African graduate looking for work, you can find salary stats and job ads for your chosen career by searching on Adzuna.