Chemical Engineer vs Industrial Engineer salary
In South Africa, a chemical engineer earns about 14% more than a industrial engineer — $42,990 vs $37,670 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 | Industrial Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $29,059 | $26,142 |
| 25th | $36,025 | $31,909 |
| Median | $42,990 | $37,670 |
| 75th | $51,502 | $44,714 |
| Senior (90th) | $60,014 | $51,759 |
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 industrial engineer earn more in South Africa?
- A chemical engineer earns more, at about R 703 000 per year vs R 616 000 for a industrial engineer — roughly 14% (R 87 000) 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 industrial engineer earns R 427 500–R 846 400 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 industrial engineer about R 51 300.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a chemical engineer earns about R 475 200 while a industrial engineer earns about R 427 500 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 industrial engineer earns about R 846 400 per year.
- Are chemical engineer and industrial 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.