Pay by Role
South Africa · Salary comparison

Copywriter vs Graphic Designer salary

In South Africa, a copywriter earns about 9% more than a graphic designer $25,500 vs $23,360 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
Creative
Copywriter
$25,500/yr
Monthly
$2,128
Hourly
$12
Range
$16,321$36,722
10-yr outlook
+4%
Creative
Graphic Designer
$23,360/yr
Monthly
$1,945
Hourly
$11
Range
$15,374$33,126
10-yr outlook
+3%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileCopywriterGraphic Designer
Entry (10th)$16,321$15,374
25th$20,908$19,367
Median$25,500$23,360
75th$31,108$28,240
Senior (90th)$36,722$33,126

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

More Creative comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a copywriter or graphic designer earn more in South Africa?
A copywriter earns more, at about R 417 000 per year vs R 382 000 for a graphic designer — roughly 9% (R 35 000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in South Africa?
A copywriter typically earns R 266 900–R 600 500, while a graphic designer earns R 251 400–R 541 700 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in South Africa?
On a monthly basis before tax, a copywriter averages about R 34 800 and a graphic designer about R 31 800.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a copywriter earns about R 266 900 while a graphic designer earns about R 251 400 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in South Africa, a copywriter earns about R 600 500 while a graphic designer earns about R 541 700 per year.
Are copywriter and graphic designer similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Creative 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.