Home > Salary > South Africa > Data Journalist
A data journalist is a professional who combines the skills of a journalist with data analysis and visualization techniques to tell stories through data. They collect, analyze, and interpret large amounts of data from various sources to uncover trends, patterns, and insights. Data journalists are responsible for finding newsworthy stories within data sets, creating compelling visualizations, and presenting complex information in a clear and accessible manner.
Their work involves conducting research, interviewing experts, and using statistical tools to analyze data. They use their storytelling abilities to communicate their findings through articles, reports, infographics, and interactive visualizations. Data journalists often work in news organizations, media outlets, or as freelance professionals.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 131,160 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 10,930 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,522 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 63 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 10,593 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,445 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 61 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-06
Estimated Yearly Salary: 6,557 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 546 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 126 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 3 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.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Estimated Yearly Salary: 131,160 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 10,930 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,522 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 63 ZAR per hour
By working as Data Journalist a person can save up to 275 USD per month or 3,303 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 Data Journalist
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
Random salary:
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Data Journalist salary in South Africa
Average Yearly Salary of Data Journalist in South Africa is approximately 131,160 ZAR (6,557 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 Data Journalist do?

Skills: data journalism, data analysis, data visualization, storytelling, research, journalism
Job industry: Media
Job industry: Media
How much does Data Journalist make?
Salary details
How much does Data Journalist make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 131,160 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 10,930 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,522 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 63 ZAR per hour
Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 127,120 ZAREstimated Monthly Salary: 10,593 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,445 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 61 ZAR per hour
Data Journalist estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 6,557 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 546 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 126 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
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 Data Journalist job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Data Journalist in South Africa earns on average:
1.03 times the average salary (or 103% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Data Journalist job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Data Journalist in South Africa earns on average:
1.03 times the average salary (or 103% of average salary).
Is Data Journalist a well paid job?
Yes, our data show that Data Journalist 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 Data Journalist?
High salary for Data Journalist would be somewhere between 144,276 ZAR and 190,182 ZAR. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Data Journalist 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: 131,160 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 10,930 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,522 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 63 ZAR per hour
By working as Data Journalist a person can save up to 275 USD per month or 3,303 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 Data Journalist
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:
Irrigation technician (69,557 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Professional sports scout (152,240 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Stock clerk or order filler (57,214 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Mathematical science teacher postsecondary (138,940 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Senior vice president general counsel (559,938 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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