Pay by Role
South Africa · Salary comparison

Accountant vs Actuary salary

In South Africa, a actuary earns about 20% more than a accountant $52,529 vs $43,846 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is ZAR). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Finance & Business
Accountant
$43,846/yr
Monthly
$3,657
Hourly
$21
Range
$30,032$60,724
10-yr outlook
+4%
Pays more
Finance & Business
Actuary
$52,529/yr
Monthly
$4,378
Hourly
$25
Range
$34,563$74,489
10-yr outlook
+22%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileAccountantActuary
Entry (10th)$30,032$34,563
25th$36,942$43,546
Median$43,846$52,529
75th$52,285$63,506
Senior (90th)$60,724$74,489

National South Africa figures in ZAR. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Finance & Business comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a accountant or actuary earn more in South Africa?
A actuary earns more, at about R 859 000 per year vs R 717 000 for a accountant — roughly 20% (R 142 000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in South Africa?
A accountant typically earns R 491 100–R 993 000, while a actuary earns R 565 200–R 1 218 100 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in South Africa?
On a monthly basis before tax, a accountant averages about R 59 800 and a actuary about R 71 600.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a accountant earns about R 491 100 while a actuary earns about R 565 200 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in South Africa, a accountant earns about R 993 000 while a actuary earns about R 1 218 100 per year.
Are accountant and actuary similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Finance & Business category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.