General Management and Executive Leadership salaries in South Africa
The median executive General Management and Executive Leadership salary in South Africa is ZAR 2,075,000 per year, with the market band from ZAR 1,450,000 to ZAR 2,700,000 (businesstech.co.za, 2026-08-31).
By seniority
executive (Low quality data)
- P25
- ZAR 1,450,000
- Median
- ZAR 2,075,000
- P75
- ZAR 2,700,000
- per month
- ZAR 172,917
About ZAR 172,917 per month at the median.
Robert Walters 2025: CEO (SME) R1,450k-R2,700k+ annual CTC excl. bonuses; COO R1,000k-R2,500k. Official public-sector reference: DPSA SMS DG packages R2,352,642-R2,650,233. Low.
lead (Medium quality data)
- P25
- ZAR 1,494,900
- Median
- ZAR 1,641,114
- P75
- ZAR 1,787,328
- per month
- ZAR 136,760
About ZAR 136,760 per month at the median.
Official DPSA SMS scale effective 1 April 2025: Chief Director (SMS level 14) R1,494,900 to R1,787,328 across 14 notches. Public sector scale. Medium.
senior (Medium quality data)
- P25
- ZAR 1,266,714
- Median
- ZAR 1,379,418
- P75
- ZAR 1,492,122
- per month
- ZAR 114,952
About ZAR 114,952 per month at the median.
Official DPSA Senior Management Service scale, Appendix A to DPSA Circular 27 of 2025, effective 1 April 2025: Director (SMS level 13) total remuneration package R1,266,714 to R1,492,122 across 12 notches. p25/p75 = notch min/max, p50 = scale midpoint. Public sector pay scale, not corporate market data. Medium.
Sources for these numbers
- https://businesstech.co.za/news/wealth/808581/38-jobs-in-south-africa-that-pay-over-r1-5-million-in-2025/
- https://www.robertwaltersafrica.com/our-services/salary-survey.html
- https://www.dpsa.gov.za/dpsa2g/documents/rp/2025/Appendices%20A%20-%20E.xlsx
- https://www.dpsa.gov.za/policy-updates/nlrrm/remuneration_policy/sms_remuneration_matters/
These are market medians. Your own quote also depends on your current pay, your walk-away floor, and the package you need. Get your personal quote.