Pay by Role
South Africa · Salary comparison

Chemical Engineer vs Electrical Engineer salary

In South Africa, a chemical engineer and a electrical engineer earn about the same — $42,990 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

Engineering
Chemical Engineer
$42,990/yr
Monthly
$3,583
Hourly
$21
Range
$29,059$60,014
10-yr outlook
+10%
Engineering
Electrical Engineer
$42,990/yr
Monthly
$3,583
Hourly
$21
Range
$29,059$60,014
10-yr outlook
+9%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileChemical EngineerElectrical Engineer
Entry (10th)$29,059$29,059
25th$36,025$36,025
Median$42,990$42,990
75th$51,502$51,502
Senior (90th)$60,014$60,014

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 electrical engineer earn more in South Africa?
A chemical engineer and a electrical engineer earn roughly the same in South Africa, around R 703 000 per year.
What is the salary range for these roles in South Africa?
A chemical engineer typically earns R 475 200–R 981 400, while a electrical engineer earns R 475 200–R 981 400 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 electrical engineer about R 58 600.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a chemical engineer earns about R 475 200 while a electrical engineer earns about R 475 200 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 electrical engineer earns about R 981 400 per year.
Are chemical engineer and electrical 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.