Pay by Role
South Africa · Salary comparison

Photographer vs Social Media Manager salary

In South Africa, a social media manager earns about 11% more than a photographer $23,238 vs $20,853 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

Creative
Photographer
$20,853/yr
Monthly
$1,737
Hourly
$10
Range
$12,408$31,175
10-yr outlook
+4%
Pays more
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

PercentilePhotographerSocial Media Manager
Entry (10th)$12,408$14,872
25th$16,627$19,055
Median$20,853$23,238
75th$26,014$28,350
Senior (90th)$31,175$33,462

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

More Creative comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a photographer or social media manager earn more in South Africa?
A social media manager earns more, at about R 380 000 per year vs R 341 000 for a photographer — roughly 11% (R 39 000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in South Africa?
A photographer typically earns R 202 900–R 509 800, 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 photographer averages about R 28 400 and a social media manager about R 31 700.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a photographer earns about R 202 900 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 photographer earns about R 509 800 while a social media manager earns about R 547 200 per year.
Are photographer 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.