Pay by Role
South Africa · Salary comparison

Chef vs Welder salary

In South Africa, a chef earns about 31% more than a welder $24,583 vs $18,835 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
Skilled Trades
Chef
$24,583/yr
Monthly
$2,049
Hourly
$12
Range
$15,734$35,401
10-yr outlook
+5%
Skilled Trades
Welder
$18,835/yr
Monthly
$1,572
Hourly
$9
Range
$13,411$25,464
10-yr outlook
+3%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileChefWelder
Entry (10th)$15,734$13,411
25th$20,156$16,120
Median$24,583$18,835
75th$29,989$22,149
Senior (90th)$35,401$25,464

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

More Skilled Trades comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a chef or welder earn more in South Africa?
A chef earns more, at about R 402 000 per year vs R 308 000 for a welder — roughly 31% (R 94 000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in South Africa?
A chef typically earns R 257 300–R 578 900, while a welder earns R 219 300–R 416 400 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in South Africa?
On a monthly basis before tax, a chef averages about R 33 500 and a welder about R 25 700.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a chef earns about R 257 300 while a welder earns about R 219 300 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in South Africa, a chef earns about R 578 900 while a welder earns about R 416 400 per year.
Are chef and welder similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Skilled Trades 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.