Home > Salary > South Africa > Fab Operator
A fab operator, short for fabrication operator, is responsible for operating and maintaining machinery used in the manufacturing process of various products. This occupation requires technical skills and knowledge of the specific machinery and equipment used in the fabrication process. The fab operator ensures that the machines are set up correctly, monitors their operation, and troubleshoots any issues that may arise. They are also responsible for inspecting the quality of the output and making adjustments as necessary.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 88,724 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 7,394 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,706 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 43 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 7,143 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,648 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 41 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-03
Estimated Yearly Salary: 4,442 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 370 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 85 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 2 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.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Estimated Yearly Salary: 88,724 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 7,394 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,706 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 43 ZAR per hour
By working as Fab Operator a person can save up to 99 USD per month or 1,188 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 Fab Operator
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Fab Operator salary in South Africa
Average Yearly Salary of Fab Operator in South Africa is approximately 88,724 ZAR (4,442 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 Fab Operator do?

Skills: fab operator, fabrication, machinery operation, manufacturing, equipment maintenance, quality control
Job industry: Manufacturing
Job industry: Manufacturing
How much does Fab Operator make?
Salary details
How much does Fab Operator make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 88,724 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 7,394 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,706 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 43 ZAR per hour
Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 85,720 ZAREstimated Monthly Salary: 7,143 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,648 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 41 ZAR per hour
Fab Operator estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 4,442 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 370 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 85 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 2 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 Fab Operator job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Fab Operator in South Africa earns on average:
0.7 times the average salary (or 70% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Fab Operator job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Fab Operator in South Africa earns on average:
0.7 times the average salary (or 70% of average salary).
Is Fab Operator a well paid job?
No, our data shows that Fab Operator is typically not a well-paid job. The salary varies based on experience. Meaning that even though Fab Operator might be a low paying job, with experience the salary might increase to satisfactory levels.What is considered a high salary for Fab Operator?
High salary for Fab Operator would be somewhere between 97,596 ZAR and 128,650 ZAR. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Fab Operator 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: 88,724 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 7,394 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,706 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 43 ZAR per hour
By working as Fab Operator a person can save up to 99 USD per month or 1,188 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 Fab Operator
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:
Nursing assistant (57,214 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Casework specialist (95,072 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Behavior analyst (148,545 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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Assistant department manager retail (59,448 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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