Solar Energy Systems Engineer Average Salary in South Africa 2024
How much money does a person working as Solar Energy Systems Engineer make in South Africa?
LOW
14,600
ZAR AVERAGE
31,700
ZAR HIGH
50,400
ZAR
A person working as Solar Energy Systems Engineer in South Africa typically earns around 31,700 ZAR. Salaries range from 14,600 ZAR (lowest) to 50,400 ZAR (highest).
Salary Variance
This is the average salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Solar Energy Systems Engineer salaries in South Africa vary drastically based on experience, skills, gender, or location. Below you will find a detailed breakdown based on many different criteria.
Solar Energy Systems Engineer Pay Scale and Salaries in South Africa
Salary Structure and Pay Scale Comparison
30,100 ZAR or more
26,400 to 30,100 ZAR
18,200 ZAR or less
18,200 to 26,400 ZAR
 14,600 ZAR |
30,300 ZAR |
50,400 ZAR |
Median Salary, maximum and minimum salary, minimum wage, starting salary, and the salary range
Salary Range, Minimum Wage, and Starting Salary
Salaries for the position Solar Energy Systems Engineer in South Africa range from 14,600 ZAR (starting salary) to 50,400 ZAR (maximum salary). It should be noted that the given figure is not the legally mandated minimum wage; rather, it represents the lowest figure reported in a salary survey that included thousands of participants and professionals from all regions of the country.
Median Salary
With a median salary of 30,300 ZAR, half of the professionals who work as Solar Energy Systems Engineer in South Africa earn less than this amount, and the other half earn more. The median salary denotes the middle value of salaries. Ideally, you would want to belong to the group earning more than the median salary, located on the right side of the salary distribution graph.
Percentiles and Salary Scale
The median is closely associated with two other values known as the 25th and 75th percentiles. By examining the salary distribution chart, it can be determined that 25% of professionals employed as Solar Energy Systems Engineer in South Africa earn less than 24,400 ZAR, while 75% earn more. Similarly, the chart shows that 75% earn less than 34,900 ZAR while 25% earn more.
Pay Scale Structure
To provide a better understanding of expected salaries, we categorized the frequently occurring salaries into different ranges. This approach provides a more precise representation of salary distribution for the job title Solar Energy Systems Engineer in South Africa compared to simply calculating the average. The majority of reported salaries, approximately 65%, fall within the range of 18,200 ZAR to 26,400 ZAR. About 20% of salaries are below the 18,200 ZAR mark, while 10% fall within the range of 26,400 ZAR to 30,100 ZAR. Only 5% of individuals have salaries exceeding 30,100 ZAR.
Salary Comparison by Years of Experience / Solar Energy Systems Engineer / South Africa
How do experience and age affect pay?
| 0 - 2 Years | 16,600 ZAR | |
| 2 - 5 Years | +34% | 22,100 ZAR |
| 5 - 10 Years | +48% | 32,700 ZAR |
| 10 - 15 Years | +22% | 39,900 ZAR |
| 15 - 20 Years | +9% | 43,400 ZAR |
| 20+ Years | +8% | 47,000 ZAR |
The experience level is the most important factor in determining the salary. Naturally, the more years of experience the higher the wage. We broke down salaries by experience level for people working as Solar Energy Systems Engineer and this is what we found.
Employees with less than two years of experience earn approximately 16,600 ZAR.
While someone with an experience level between two and five years is expected to earn 22,100 ZAR, 34% more than someone with less than two year's experience.
Moving forward, an experience level between five and ten years lands a salary of 32,700 ZAR, 48% more than someone with two to five years of experience.
Additionally, professionals whose expertise span anywhere between ten and fifteen years get a salary equivalent to 39,900 ZAR, 22% more than someone with five to ten years of experience.
If the experience level is between fifteen and twenty years, then the expected wage is 43,400 ZAR, 9% more than someone with ten to fifteen years of experience.
Lastly, employees with more than twenty years of professional experience get a salary of 47,000 ZAR, 8% more than people with fifteen to twenty years of experience.
Typical Salary Progress for Most Careers
Salary Comparison By Education / Solar Energy Systems Engineer / South Africa
How do education levels affect salaries?
Displayed below is the average salary variance between different education levels of professionals working as Solar Energy Systems Engineer.
| Bachelor's Degree | 19,300 ZAR | |
| Master's Degree | +93% | 37,200 ZAR |
We all know that higher education equals a bigger salary, but how much more money can a degree add to your income? We broke down salaries by education level for the position Solar Energy Systems Engineer in order to make a comparison.
Level 1: Bachelor's Degree
Employees at this education level have an average salary of 19,300 ZAR.
Level 2: Master's Degree
At this level, the average salary becomes 37,200 ZAR, 93% more than the previous level.
Is a Master's degree or an MBA worth it? Should you pursue higher education?
A Master's degree program or any post-graduate program in South Africa costs anywhere from 156,000 ZAR to 469,000 ZAR and lasts approximately two years. That is quite an investment.
You can't really expect any salary increases during the study period, assuming you already have a job. In most cases, a salary review is conducted once education is completed and the degree has been attained.
Many people pursue higher education as a tactic to switch to a higher-paying job. The numbers seem to support the theory. The average increase in compensation while changing jobs is approximately 10% more than the customary salary increment.
If you can afford the costs of higher education, the return on investment is definitely worth it. You should be able to recover the costs in roughly a year or so.
Typical Salary Difference by Education for Most Careers
Salary and Compensation Comparison By Gender / Solar Energy Systems Engineer / South Africa
Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? For the people who work as Solar Energy Systems Engineer in South Africa, the average difference between the salary of male and female employees is 12%.
| Male | 33,500 ZAR | |
| Female | -11% | 30,000 ZAR |
Salary Comparison By Gender in South Africa for all Careers
Average Annual Salary Increment Percentage / Solar Energy Systems Engineer / South Africa
How much are annual salary increments in South Africa for individuals working as Solar Energy Systems Engineer? How often do employees get salary raises?
Individuals working as Solar Energy Systems Engineer in South Africa are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 12% every 17 months. The national average annual increment for all professions combined is 8% granted to employees every 18 months.
South Africa / All Professions
The term Annual Salary Increase usually refers to the increase in 12 calendar month period, but because it is rare that people get their salaries reviewed exactly on the one-year mark, it is more meaningful to know the frequency and the rate at the time of the increase.
How to calculate the salary increment percentage?
The annual salary Increase in a calendar year (12 months) can be easily calculated as follows: Annual Salary Increase = Increase Rate x 12 / Increase Frequency
Worldwide Salary Raises: All Countries and All Jobs
Salary Packages and Schemes
Not all compensation increases are reflected directly in the salary. Some companies offer upgraded packages to their staff instead of cash money. The figures displayed here account only for direct increments to the base salary.
Bonus and Incentive Rates / Solar Energy Systems Engineer / South Africa
How much and how often are bonuses being awarded?
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42% of surveyed staff reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 58% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.
Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 2% to 7% of their annual salary.
| Received Bonus | 58% | |
| No Bonus | 42% |
Types of Bonuses Considered
Individual Performance-Based BonusesThe most standard form of bonus, where the employee is awarded based on their exceptional performance.
Company Performance BonusesOccasionally, some companies like to celebrate excess earnings and profits with their staff collectively in the form of bonuses that are granted to everyone. The amount of the bonus will probably be different from person to person depending on their role within the organization.
Goal-Based BonusesGranted upon achieving an important goal or milestone.
Holiday / End of Year BonusesThese types of bonuses are given without a reason and usually resemble an appreciation token.
Bonuses Are Not Commissions!
People tend to confuse bonuses with commissions. A commission is a prefixed rate at which someone gets paid for items sold or deals completed while a bonus is in most cases arbitrary and unplanned.
What makes a position worthy of good bonuses and a high salary?
The main two types of jobs | |
| Revenue Generators | Supporting Cast |
Employees that are directly involved in generating revenue or profit for the organization. Their field of expertise usually matches the type of business. | Employees that support and facilitate the work of revenue generators. Their expertise is usually different from that of the core business operations. |
Example: | Example: |
Revenue generators usually get more and higher bonuses, higher salaries, and more frequent salary increments. The reason is quite simple: it is easier to quantify your value to the company in monetary terms when you participate in revenue generation.
Bonus Comparison by Seniority Level
Top management personnel and senior employees naturally exhibit higher bonus rates and frequencies than juniors. This is very predictable due to the inherent responsibilities of being higher in the hierarchy. People in top positions can easily get double or triple bonus rates than employees down the pyramid.
Average Hourly Wage / Solar Energy Systems Engineer / South Africa
180 ZAR per hourThe average hourly wage (pay per hour) for individuals working as Solar Energy Systems Engineer in South Africa is 180 ZAR.This is the rate they get paid for every worked hour.
About The Hourly Pay Rate
The hourly wage is the salary paid in one worked hour. Usually, jobs are classified into two categories: salaried jobs and hourly jobs. Salaried jobs pay a fixed amount regardless of the hours worked. Hourly jobs pay per worked hour. To convert salary into hourly wage the above formula is used (assuming 5 working days in a week and 8 working hours per day which is the standard for most jobs). The hourly wage calculation may differ slightly depending on the worked hours per week and the annual vacation allowance. The figures mentioned above are good approximations and are considered to be the standard. One major difference between salaried employees and hourly paid employees is overtime eligibility. Salaried employees are usually exempt from overtime as opposed to hourly paid staff.
What is the minimum hourly rate of pay?
The minimum pay rate per hour for people working as Solar Energy Systems Engineer in South Africa is 84 ZAR. This is the minimum as per the gathered data in the salary survey not the minimum hourly rate mandated by law.
Salary comparison with similar jobs
| Job Title | Average Salary |
| Oil / Gas / Energy / Mining |  -100% | |
| Assistant Yard Manager | 28,700 ZAR | -10% |
| Associate Analyst | 31,000 ZAR | -2% |
| Associate Landman | 13,000 ZAR | -59% |
| Auxiliary Equipment Operator | 11,800 ZAR | -63% |
| Biomass Plant Technician | 14,400 ZAR | -55% |
| Biomass Power Plant Manager | 41,400 ZAR |  +31% |
| Carbon Capture and Storage Specialist | 32,300 ZAR | +2% |
| Chemical Plant Operator | 24,900 ZAR | -22% |
| Chief Contract Compliance Engineer | 31,600 ZAR | -0% |
| Chief Renewable Energy Officer | 51,100 ZAR | +61% |
| Chief Sustainability Officer | 49,000 ZAR | +54% |
| Completions Engineer | 27,200 ZAR | -14% |
| Cost Controller | 21,900 ZAR | -31% |
| Cost Engineer | 29,500 ZAR | -7% |
| Crude Oil Marketing Representative | 32,700 ZAR | +3% |
| Deep-sea Mining Engineer | 33,400 ZAR | +5% |
| Dispatcher | 12,500 ZAR | -61% |
| Distribution Manager | 40,400 ZAR | +27% |
| Dragline Operator | 14,400 ZAR | -55% |
| Driller Offsider | 10,900 ZAR | -66% |
| Dump Truck Driver | 11,500 ZAR | -64% |
| Electric and Gas Operations Manager | 69,200 ZAR | +120% |
| Energy Advisor | 47,200 ZAR | +49% |
| Energy Analyst | 41,200 ZAR | +30% |
| Energy Auditor | 36,300 ZAR | +14% |
| Energy Dispatch Director | 52,200 ZAR | +65% |
| Energy Efficiency Auditor | 30,000 ZAR | -5% |
| Energy Efficiency Consultant | 35,200 ZAR | +11% |
| Energy Modeler | 28,200 ZAR | -11% |
| Energy Policy Analyst | 29,200 ZAR | -8% |
| Energy Storage Engineer | 30,200 ZAR | -5% |
| Energy Technical Assistant | 18,400 ZAR | -42% |
| Energy Technical Manager | 36,500 ZAR | +15% |
| Energy Technical Support Manager | 36,700 ZAR | +16% |
| Energy Technical Trainer | 26,000 ZAR | -18% |
| Engineering Geologist | 51,800 ZAR | +63% |
| Exploration Manager | 53,000 ZAR | +67% |
| Field Safety Auditor | 33,700 ZAR | +6% |
| Fluids Engineer | 28,100 ZAR | -11% |
| Fuel Cell Engineer | 32,300 ZAR | +2% |
| Fuel Cell Technician | 15,400 ZAR | -51% |
| Fuels Handler | 14,100 ZAR | -56% |
| Gas Compressor Operator | 13,500 ZAR | -57% |
| Gas Distribution Plant Operator | 25,000 ZAR | -21% |
| Gas Supply Manager | 46,200 ZAR | +46% |
| Geologist | 54,700 ZAR | +72% |
| Geophysicist | 52,200 ZAR | +65% |
| Geothermal Engineer | 35,200 ZAR | +11% |
| Geothermal Production Manager | 53,200 ZAR | +68% |
| Geothermal Technician | 21,800 ZAR | -31% |
| HSE Engineer | 31,300 ZAR | -1% |
| HSE Officer | 19,000 ZAR | -40% |
| HSE Supervisor | 22,900 ZAR | -28% |
| HSEQ Administrator | 20,600 ZAR | -35% |
| Hydrogen Fuel Cell Engineer | 34,100 ZAR | +7% |
| Inspector | 26,900 ZAR | -15% |
| Instructor | 23,300 ZAR | -27% |
| Instrument Designer | 22,800 ZAR | -28% |
| Lead Technical Field Advisor | 37,500 ZAR | +18% |
| Lithium Ion Battery Engineer | 27,400 ZAR | -14% |
| Logistics and Tool Coordinator | 25,400 ZAR | -20% |
| Maintenance Engineer | 30,200 ZAR | -5% |
| Maintenance Superintendent | 26,700 ZAR | -16% |
| Material Controller | 20,700 ZAR | -35% |
| Methane Detection and Mitigation Specialist | 28,600 ZAR | -10% |
| Mine Engineer | 29,400 ZAR | -7% |
| Mine Surveyor | 32,000 ZAR | +1% |
| Mining Project Administrator | 25,100 ZAR | -21% |
| Mining Project Assistant | 20,000 ZAR | -37% |
| Mining Project Controls Consultant | 31,700 ZAR | -0% |
| Mining Project Coordinator | 25,300 ZAR | -20% |
| Mining Project Engineer | 27,900 ZAR | -12% |
| Mining Project Manager | 37,000 ZAR | +17% |
| Mining Site Manager | 39,000 ZAR | +23% |
| Mining Team Leader | 31,300 ZAR | -1% |
| Natural Gas Engineer | 33,500 ZAR | +6% |
| NDT Technician | 17,500 ZAR | -45% |
| Net Zero Energy Consultant | 41,300 ZAR | +30% |
| Oil Service Unit Operator | 15,700 ZAR | -51% |
| Oil Trader | 38,600 ZAR | +22% |
| Oilwell Pumper | 11,500 ZAR | -64% |
| Petroleum Engineer | 34,100 ZAR | +7% |
| Petroleum Geologist | 54,800 ZAR | +73% |
| Petroleum Pump System Operator | 17,100 ZAR | -46% |
| Petroleum Technician | 18,400 ZAR | -42% |
| Photovoltaic Engineer | 33,900 ZAR | +7% |
| Pipeline Technician | 11,700 ZAR | -63% |
| Power Coordinator | 18,300 ZAR | -42% |
| Power Plant Operations Manager | 59,900 ZAR | +89% |
| Power Plant Operator | 25,600 ZAR | -19% |
| Radio Operator | 12,600 ZAR | -60% |
| Reliability Engineer | 28,300 ZAR | -11% |
| Renewable Energy Consultant | 44,400 ZAR | +40% |
| Renewable Energy Engineer | 33,500 ZAR | +6% |
| Renewable Energy Policy Analyst | 34,500 ZAR | +9% |
| Reservoir Engineer | 28,100 ZAR | -11% |
| Risk Analyst | 36,200 ZAR | +14% |
| Roughneck | 30,300 ZAR | -4% |
| Scaffolder | 20,300 ZAR | -36% |
| Shutdown Engineer | 24,500 ZAR | -23% |
| Smart Grid Analyst | 33,000 ZAR | +4% |
| Smart Grid Engineer | 33,500 ZAR | +6% |
| Solar Energy Installation Manager | 45,000 ZAR | +42% |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineer | 31,700 ZAR | -0% |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | 20,100 ZAR | -37% |
| Solar Thermal Technician | 19,100 ZAR | -40% |
| Supply Operations Manager | 48,900 ZAR | +54% |
| Sustainability Analyst | 36,300 ZAR | +14% |
| Sustainability Architect | 36,800 ZAR | +16% |
| Sustainability Specialist | 49,900 ZAR | +57% |
| Sustainable Energy Consultant | 38,300 ZAR | +21% |
| System Development Advisor | 33,000 ZAR | +4% |
| Tanker Truck Driver | 12,200 ZAR | -62% |
| Unconventional Oil and Gas Engineer | 32,200 ZAR | +2% |
| Utility Operator | 15,400 ZAR | -51% |
| Waste-to-Energy Specialist | 39,700 ZAR | +25% |
| Wind Energy Project Manager | 40,700 ZAR | +28% |
| Wind Farm Technician | 21,100 ZAR | -33% |
| Wind Turbine Technician | 24,500 ZAR | -23% |
Government vs Private Sector Salary Comparison
Where can you get paid more, working in a private company or the government? The difference between the public or government sector salaries and the private sector salaries in South Africa is 7% on average across all career fields.
| Private Sector | 30,400 ZAR | |
| Public Sector | +7% | 32,400 ZAR |
Salary Statistics and Calculation Guide
What is considered to be a good and competitive salary for the job title Solar Energy Systems Engineer in South Africa?
A good and competitive compensation would range anywhere between 30,300 ZAR and 34,900 ZAR. This is a very rough estimate. Experience and education play a very huge part in the final earnings.
Gross Salary (before tax) and Net Salary (after tax)
All salary and compensation figures displayed here are gross salary figures, that is the salary before tax deductions. Because taxes may differ across sectors and locations, it is difficult to accurately calculate the net salary after tax for every career.
Base / Basic Salary
The base salary for a careers like Solar Energy Systems Engineer in South Africa ranges from 14,600 ZAR to 24,400 ZAR. The base salary depends on many factors including experience and education. It is not easy to provide a figure with very little information, so take this range with a grain of salt.
What is the difference between the median and the average salary?
Both are indicators. If your salary is higher than both the average and the median then you are doing very well. If your salary is lower than both, then many people earn more than you and there is plenty of room for improvement. If your wage is between the average and the median, then things can be a bit complicated. We wrote a guide to explain all about the different scenarios. How to compare your salary
