Civil Engineer vs Electrical Engineer salary
In South Africa, a electrical 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
Electrical Engineer$42,990/yr
- Monthly
- $3,583
- Hourly
- $21
- Range
- $29,059–$60,014
- 10-yr outlook
- +9%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Civil Engineer | Electrical Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $26,057 | $29,059 |
| 25th | $32,044 | $36,025 |
| Median | $38,036 | $42,990 |
| 75th | $45,356 | $51,502 |
| Senior (90th) | $52,682 | $60,014 |
National South Africa figures in ZAR. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Engineering comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a civil engineer or electrical engineer earn more in South Africa?
- A electrical 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 civil engineer typically earns R 426 100–R 861 500, 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 civil engineer averages about R 51 800 and a electrical engineer about R 58 600.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a civil engineer earns about R 426 100 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 civil engineer earns about R 861 500 while a electrical engineer earns about R 981 400 per year.
- Are civil 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.