Pay by Role
South Africa · Salary comparison

Architect vs Photographer salary

In South Africa, a architect earns about 64% more than a photographer $34,123 vs $20,853 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

Pays more
Creative
Architect
$34,123/yr
Monthly
$2,844
Hourly
$16
Range
$21,837$49,136
10-yr outlook
+5%
Creative
Photographer
$20,853/yr
Monthly
$1,737
Hourly
$10
Range
$12,408$31,175
10-yr outlook
+4%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileArchitectPhotographer
Entry (10th)$21,837$12,408
25th$27,983$16,627
Median$34,123$20,853
75th$41,632$26,014
Senior (90th)$49,136$31,175

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

More Creative comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a architect or photographer earn more in South Africa?
A architect earns more, at about R 558 000 per year vs R 341 000 for a photographer — roughly 64% (R 217 000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in South Africa?
A architect typically earns R 357 100–R 803 500, while a photographer earns R 202 900–R 509 800 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in South Africa?
On a monthly basis before tax, a architect averages about R 46 500 and a photographer about R 28 400.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a architect earns about R 357 100 while a photographer earns about R 202 900 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in South Africa, a architect earns about R 803 500 while a photographer earns about R 509 800 per year.
Are architect and photographer similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Creative 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.