Home > Salary > South Africa > Executive Director
The role of an executive director is to provide strategic leadership and direction to an organization. They are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations, managing staff, developing and implementing organizational goals and objectives, and ensuring the financial stability of the organization. Executive directors also represent the organization to external stakeholders, such as funders, partners, and the community, and advocate for its mission and vision.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 218,624 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 18,219 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,204 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 105 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 17,613 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,065 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 102 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-08
Estimated Yearly Salary: 10,972 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 914 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 211 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 5 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: 218,624 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 18,219 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,204 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 105 ZAR per hour
By working as Executive Director a person can save up to 643 USD per month or 7,718 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 Executive Director
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
Random salary:
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Executive Director salary in South Africa
Average Yearly Salary of Executive Director in South Africa is approximately 218,624 ZAR (10,972 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 Executive Director do?

Skills: executive leadership, strategic management, organizational development, financial management, stakeholder engagement, advocacy
Job industry: Non-profit
Job industry: Non-profit
How much does Executive Director make?
Salary details
How much does Executive Director make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 218,624 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 18,219 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,204 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 105 ZAR per hour
Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 211,360 ZAREstimated Monthly Salary: 17,613 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,065 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 102 ZAR per hour
Executive Director estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 10,972 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 914 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 211 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 5 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 Executive Director job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Executive Director in South Africa earns on average:
1.72 times the average salary (or 172% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Executive Director job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Executive Director in South Africa earns on average:
1.72 times the average salary (or 172% of average salary).
Is Executive Director a well paid job?
Yes, our data shows that Executive Director 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 Executive Director?
High salary for Executive Director would be somewhere between 240,486 ZAR and 317,005 ZAR. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Executive Director 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: 218,624 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 18,219 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,204 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 105 ZAR per hour
By working as Executive Director a person can save up to 643 USD per month or 7,718 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 Executive Director
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
Top 10 highest salaries in South Africa
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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:
Account director advertising (219,626 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Mining engineer (158,174 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Health care administrator (139,097 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Regulatory affairs director (325,010 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Flight dispatcher (152,240 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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