Home > Salary > South Africa > Gem Worker
A gem worker, also known as a lapidary, is a skilled artisan who cuts, shapes, and polishes gemstones to enhance their natural beauty. They work with a variety of precious and semi-precious stones such as diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and opals. Gem workers use specialized tools and techniques to carefully cut gemstones into various shapes, including faceted, cabochon, and bead designs. They also polish the stones to create a smooth and shiny surface. Additionally, gem workers may be involved in setting gemstones into jewelry pieces or creating custom designs according to client specifications. Attention to detail, precision, and an artistic eye are crucial skills for a gem worker, as they strive to bring out the best qualities of each gemstone.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 134,554 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 11,213 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,588 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 65 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 10,838 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,501 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 63 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-02
Estimated Yearly Salary: 6,744 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 562 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 130 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: 134,554 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 11,213 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,588 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 65 ZAR per hour
By working as Gem Worker a person can save up to 291 USD per month or 3,490 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 Gem Worker
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Gem Worker salary in South Africa
Average Yearly Salary of Gem Worker in South Africa is approximately 134,554 ZAR (6,744 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 Gem Worker do?
A gem worker, also known as a lapidary, is a skilled artisan who cuts, shapes, and polishes gemstones to enhance their natural beauty. They work with a variety of precious and semi-precious stones such as diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and opals. Gem workers use specialized tools and techniques to carefully cut gemstones into various shapes, including faceted, cabochon, and bead designs. They also polish the stones to create a smooth and shiny surface. Additionally, gem workers may be involved in setting gemstones into jewelry pieces or creating custom designs according to client specifications. Attention to detail, precision, and an artistic eye are crucial skills for a gem worker, as they strive to bring out the best qualities of each gemstone. Skills: gem cutting, lapidary, gemstone polishing, jewelry making, gemstone setting, artisan
Job industry: Jewelry manufacturing
Job industry: Jewelry manufacturing
How much does Gem Worker make?
Salary details
How much does Gem Worker make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 134,554 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 11,213 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,588 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 65 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax Last revision of data: 2025-01-04Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 130,060 ZAREstimated Monthly Salary: 10,838 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,501 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 63 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-02Gem Worker estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 6,744 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 562 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 130 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 3 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
3 %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 Gem Worker job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Gem Worker in South Africa earns on average:
1.06 times the average salary (or 106% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Gem Worker job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Gem Worker in South Africa earns on average:
1.06 times the average salary (or 106% of average salary).
Is Gem Worker a well paid job?
Yes, our data show that Gem Worker 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 Gem Worker?
High salary for Gem Worker would be somewhere between 148,009 ZAR and 195,103 ZAR. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Gem Worker 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: 134,554 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 11,213 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,588 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 65 ZAR per hour
By working as Gem Worker a person can save up to 291 USD per month or 3,490 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 Gem Worker
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04Salary 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
+12% salary increase- 6 to 10 years of experience yields
+25% salary increase- 11 to 15 years of experience yields
+16% salary increase- 16 to 25 years of experience yields
+9% salary increase- more than 25 years of experience yields
+10% salary increaseTop 10 highest salaries in South Africa
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Data as of 2025Random salary:
Access service representative (59,677 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Demand planner (186,453 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Chief mammography technologist (157,421 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Return to factory clerk (65,040 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Sr. manager corporate communications (293,936 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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Please note:The salary figures presented here are intended for reference purposes only.
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