Home > Salary > South Africa > Cosmetologist
A cosmetologist is a professional who specializes in enhancing the appearance of clients through various beauty treatments and techniques. They provide services such as hairstyling, cutting, coloring, and perming hair, as well as applying makeup, giving facials, performing nail care, and providing skin treatments. Cosmetologists are skilled in advising clients on suitable hairstyles, recommending skincare products, and providing beauty tips. They may work in salons, spas, or even freelance, catering to a diverse range of clients.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 61,258 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,105 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,178 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 29 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 4,927 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,137 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 28 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-06
Estimated Yearly Salary: 3,071 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 256 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 59 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 1 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: 61,258 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,105 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,178 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 29 ZAR per hour
Our data indicates that by working as Cosmetologist you will not be able to save much money and will likely need to make adjustments to your lifestyle to go comfortably through the month.
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 Cosmetologist
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Cosmetologist salary in South Africa
Average Yearly Salary of Cosmetologist in South Africa is approximately 61,258 ZAR (3,071 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 Cosmetologist do?

Skills: Cosmetologist, Beauty Specialist, Hair Stylist, Makeup Artist, Nail Technician, Skin Care Expert
Job industry: Beauty and personal care
Job industry: Beauty and personal care
How much does Cosmetologist make?
Salary details
How much does Cosmetologist make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 61,258 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,105 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,178 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 29 ZAR per hour
Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 59,120 ZAREstimated Monthly Salary: 4,927 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,137 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 28 ZAR per hour
Cosmetologist estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 3,071 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 256 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 59 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 1 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
Compare salary to other countries
Please type in your occupation and select desired country to see latest trends in salaries.
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 Cosmetologist job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Cosmetologist in South Africa earns on average:
0.48 times the average salary (or 48% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Cosmetologist job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Cosmetologist in South Africa earns on average:
0.48 times the average salary (or 48% of average salary).
Is Cosmetologist a well paid job?
No, our data shows that Cosmetologist is quite an underpaid paid job. The salary varies based on experience. Meaning that even though Cosmetologist might be a low paying job, with experience the salary might increase to satisfactory levels.What is considered a high salary for Cosmetologist?
High salary for Cosmetologist would be somewhere between 67,384 ZAR and 88,824 ZAR. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Cosmetologist 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: 61,258 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,105 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,178 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 29 ZAR per hour
Our data indicates that by working as Cosmetologist you will not be able to save much money and will likely need to make adjustments to your lifestyle to go comfortably through the month.
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 Cosmetologist
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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5. Neurosurgeon
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9. Oncologist
(1,071,922 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
10. Urologist
(1,071,632 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Random salary:
Ticket seller (59,120 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Veterinarian receptionist (55,857 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Area sales representative packaging products (145,234 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Pediatric audiologist (140,222 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
National sales representative (177,343 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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