Chemical Engineer vs Civil Engineer salary
In South Africa, a chemical engineer earns about 13% more than a civil engineer — $42,990 vs $38,036 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
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Engineering
Chemical Engineer$42,990/yr
- Monthly
- $3,583
- Hourly
- $21
- Range
- $29,059–$60,014
- 10-yr outlook
- +10%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Chemical Engineer | Civil Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $29,059 | $26,057 |
| 25th | $36,025 | $32,044 |
| Median | $42,990 | $38,036 |
| 75th | $51,502 | $45,356 |
| Senior (90th) | $60,014 | $52,682 |
National South Africa figures in ZAR. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Engineering comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a chemical engineer or civil engineer earn more in South Africa?
- A chemical engineer earns more, at about R 703 000 per year vs R 622 000 for a civil engineer — roughly 13% (R 81 000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in South Africa?
- A chemical engineer typically earns R 475 200–R 981 400, while a civil engineer earns R 426 100–R 861 500 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in South Africa?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a chemical engineer averages about R 58 600 and a civil engineer about R 51 800.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a chemical engineer earns about R 475 200 while a civil engineer earns about R 426 100 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in South Africa, a chemical engineer earns about R 981 400 while a civil engineer earns about R 861 500 per year.
- Are chemical engineer and civil engineer similar careers?
- Both roles sit in the Engineering 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.