Home > Salary > South Africa > Cost Accountant
A cost accountant is a professional responsible for analyzing, recording, and reporting on the costs associated with manufacturing products or providing services. They play a crucial role in helping organizations make informed financial decisions by providing accurate cost information. Cost accountants are involved in various tasks such as calculating the cost of raw materials, labor, and overhead, preparing budgets and forecasts, conducting cost analysis, and identifying areas for cost reduction and efficiency improvement.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 157,368 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 13,114 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 3,026 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 76 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 12,687 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,928 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 73 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-07
Estimated Yearly Salary: 7,904 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 659 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 152 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 4 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
3 %
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: 157,368 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 13,114 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 3,026 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 76 ZAR per hour
By working as Cost Accountant a person can save up to 387 USD per month or 4,650 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 Cost Accountant
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Cost Accountant salary in South Africa
Average Yearly Salary of Cost Accountant in South Africa is approximately 157,368 ZAR (7,904 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 Cost Accountant do?

Skills: cost accountant, financial analysis, cost analysis, budgeting, forecasting, cost reduction.
Job industry: Manufacturing
Job industry: Manufacturing
How much does Cost Accountant make?
Salary details
How much does Cost Accountant make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 157,368 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 13,114 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 3,026 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 76 ZAR per hour
Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 152,240 ZAREstimated Monthly Salary: 12,687 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,928 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 73 ZAR per hour
Cost Accountant estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 7,904 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 659 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 152 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 4 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
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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 Cost Accountant job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Cost Accountant in South Africa earns on average:
1.24 times the average salary (or 124% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Cost Accountant job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Cost Accountant in South Africa earns on average:
1.24 times the average salary (or 124% of average salary).
Is Cost Accountant a well paid job?
Yes, our data shows that Cost Accountant is a well paid job. With years and experience the salary might increase even further, resulting in higher satisfaction.What is considered a high salary for Cost Accountant?
High salary for Cost Accountant would be somewhere between 173,105 ZAR and 228,184 ZAR. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Cost Accountant 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: 157,368 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 13,114 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 3,026 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 76 ZAR per hour
By working as Cost Accountant a person can save up to 387 USD per month or 4,650 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 Cost Accountant
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:
Mine foreman (236,556 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Litigation support specialist (168,696 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Brand strategist (144,726 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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