Pay by Role
South Africa · Salary comparison

Graphic Designer vs Social Media Manager salary

In South Africa, a graphic designer earns about 1% more than a social media manager $23,360 vs $23,238 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
Graphic Designer
$23,360/yr
Monthly
$1,945
Hourly
$11
Range
$15,374$33,126
10-yr outlook
+3%
Creative
Social Media Manager
$23,238/yr
Monthly
$1,939
Hourly
$11
Range
$14,872$33,462
10-yr outlook
+10%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileGraphic DesignerSocial Media Manager
Entry (10th)$15,374$14,872
25th$19,367$19,055
Median$23,360$23,238
75th$28,240$28,350
Senior (90th)$33,126$33,462

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

More Creative comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a graphic designer or social media manager earn more in South Africa?
A graphic designer earns more, at about R 382 000 per year vs R 380 000 for a social media manager — roughly 1% (R 2 000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in South Africa?
A graphic designer typically earns R 251 400–R 541 700, while a social media manager earns R 243 200–R 547 200 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in South Africa?
On a monthly basis before tax, a graphic designer averages about R 31 800 and a social media manager about R 31 700.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a graphic designer earns about R 251 400 while a social media manager earns about R 243 200 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in South Africa, a graphic designer earns about R 541 700 while a social media manager earns about R 547 200 per year.
Are graphic designer and social media manager 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.