Home > Salary > South Africa > Background Investigator
A background investigator is responsible for conducting thorough investigations into an individual's personal, professional, and criminal history to assess their suitability for employment or other purposes. They gather information from various sources such as interviews, reference checks, and public records to compile a comprehensive report on an individual's background. This report is then used by employers, government agencies, or other organizations to make informed decisions about the individual.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 105,785 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 8,815 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,034 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 51 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 8,498 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,961 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 49 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-03
Estimated Yearly Salary: 5,272 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 439 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 101 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 3 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
4 %
Data confidence is - relatively high
Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
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Estimated Yearly Salary: 105,785 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 8,815 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,034 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 51 ZAR per hour
By working as Background Investigator a person can save up to 168 USD per month or 2,018 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Estimated Yearly Salary for Background Investigator
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Background Investigator salary in South Africa
Average Yearly Salary of Background Investigator in South Africa is approximately 105,785 ZAR (5,272 USD). Data is for 2025 and indicates a pre-tax value. The salary itself depends on multiple factors such as seniority, job performance, certifications, experience or any other bonuses. The value indicated is an average amount based on records we have in database. Real values may vary. The data is for orientational purposes.
What does Background Investigator do?

Skills: Background checks, Investigative research, Employment screening, Due diligence, Risk assessment, Information gathering
Job industry: Government
Job industry: Government
How much does Background Investigator make?
Salary details
How much does Background Investigator make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 105,785 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 8,815 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,034 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 51 ZAR per hour
Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 101,980 ZAREstimated Monthly Salary: 8,498 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,961 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 49 ZAR per hour
Background Investigator estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 5,272 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 439 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 101 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 3 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
About these results
Data confidence is - relatively high Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
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Country:
Salary comparison to National average
South Africa is a diverse and vibrant country located at the southernmost tip of the African continent. It has a population of approximately 59 million people and covers an area of around 1.2 million square kilometers. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and abundant wildlife.
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Background Investigator job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Background Investigator in South Africa earns on average:
0.83 times the average salary (or 83% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Background Investigator job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Background Investigator in South Africa earns on average:
0.83 times the average salary (or 83% of average salary).
Is Background Investigator a well paid job?
Yes, our data show that Background Investigator is an averagely well paid job that still allows for some yearly savings. With years and experience the salary might increase even further, resulting in higher satisfaction.What is considered a high salary for Background Investigator?
High salary for Background Investigator would be somewhere between 116,364 ZAR and 153,388 ZAR. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Background Investigator in South Africa?
Living in South Africa the approximate monthly expenses are: 271 USD. This amount covers basic needs such as food, housing, clothing, healthcare and education costs for a single person. No luxury expenses such as traveling, leisure, hobbies are included in the estimation.Estimated Yearly Salary: 105,785 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 8,815 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,034 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 51 ZAR per hour
By working as Background Investigator a person can save up to 168 USD per month or 2,018 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Salary comparison to region and neighbouring coutries
Country's neighbours are: Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, Lesotho. To make it easier for comparison a conversion from local currency to USD has been made (conversion rates may vary).Estimated Yearly Salary for Background Investigator
Salary increase per years of experience
Based on data available the salary increase per years of experience is as following- 0 years (beginner) equals base salary
- 1 to 5 years of experience yields
- 6 to 10 years of experience yields
- 11 to 15 years of experience yields
- 16 to 25 years of experience yields
- more than 25 years of experience yields
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Random salary:
Family caregiver (40,387 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Clinical laboratory scientist (193,987 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Cable service technician (97,560 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
General assignment reporter (93,643 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Assistant fire chief (171,390 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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