Pay by Role
South Africa · Salary comparison

Project Manager vs Sales Manager salary

In South Africa, a sales manager earns about 14% more than a project manager — $45,986 vs $40,483 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

Finance & Business
Project Manager
$40,483/yr
Monthly
$3,376
Hourly
$19
Range
$25,910–$58,296
10-yr outlook
+7%
Pays more
Finance & Business
Sales Manager
$45,986/yr
Monthly
$3,834
Hourly
$22
Range
$25,292–$71,279
10-yr outlook
+6%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileProject ManagerSales Manager
Entry (10th)$25,910$25,292
25th$33,193$35,639
Median$40,483$45,986
75th$49,386$58,632
Senior (90th)$58,296$71,279

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

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Frequently asked questions

Does a project manager or sales manager earn more in South Africa?
A sales manager earns more, at about R 752 000 per year vs R 662 000 for a project manager — roughly 14% (R 90 000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in South Africa?
A project manager typically earns R 423 700–R 953 300, while a sales manager earns R 413 600–R 1 165 600 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in South Africa?
On a monthly basis before tax, a project manager averages about R 55 200 and a sales manager about R 62 700.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a project manager earns about R 423 700 while a sales manager earns about R 413 600 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in South Africa, a project manager earns about R 953 300 while a sales manager earns about R 1 165 600 per year.
Are project manager and sales manager similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Finance & Business 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.