Home > Salary > South Africa > Heavy Machine Operator
A heavy machine operator is a skilled professional responsible for operating and maintaining heavy machinery such as bulldozers, excavators, cranes, loaders, and forklifts. They are employed in construction, mining, forestry, and manufacturing industries. The primary role of a heavy machine operator is to safely and efficiently operate these machines to perform various tasks, including digging trenches, moving earth and materials, lifting heavy objects, and clearing debris. They must have a thorough understanding of the equipment they operate, including its controls, capabilities, and safety features. Additionally, heavy machine operators are responsible for conducting routine maintenance, inspecting equipment for defects, and reporting any issues to their supervisors.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 95,072 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 7,923 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,828 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 46 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 7,637 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,762 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 44 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-03
Estimated Yearly Salary: 4,736 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 395 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 91 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: 95,072 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 7,923 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,828 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 46 ZAR per hour
By working as Heavy Machine Operator a person can save up to 123 USD per month or 1,482 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 Heavy Machine Operator
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Heavy Machine Operator salary in South Africa
Average Yearly Salary of Heavy Machine Operator in South Africa is approximately 95,072 ZAR (4,736 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 Heavy Machine Operator do?
A heavy machine operator is a skilled professional responsible for operating and maintaining heavy machinery such as bulldozers, excavators, cranes, loaders, and forklifts. They are employed in construction, mining, forestry, and manufacturing industries. The primary role of a heavy machine operator is to safely and efficiently operate these machines to perform various tasks, including digging trenches, moving earth and materials, lifting heavy objects, and clearing debris. They must have a thorough understanding of the equipment they operate, including its controls, capabilities, and safety features. Additionally, heavy machine operators are responsible for conducting routine maintenance, inspecting equipment for defects, and reporting any issues to their supervisors.
Skills: Heavy machinery, Equipment operation, Construction industry, Mining industry, Safety protocols, Maintenance procedures
Job industry: Construction
Job industry: Construction
How much does Heavy Machine Operator make?
Salary details
How much does Heavy Machine Operator make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 95,072 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 7,923 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,828 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 46 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax Last revision of data: 2025-01-04Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 91,640 ZAREstimated Monthly Salary: 7,637 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,762 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 44 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-03Heavy Machine Operator estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 4,736 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 395 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 91 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 2 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
4 %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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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 Heavy Machine Operator job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Heavy Machine Operator in South Africa earns on average:
0.75 times the average salary (or 75% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Heavy Machine Operator job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Heavy Machine Operator in South Africa earns on average:
0.75 times the average salary (or 75% of average salary).
Is Heavy Machine Operator a well paid job?
No, our data shows that Heavy Machine Operator is typically not a well-paid job. The salary varies based on experience. Meaning that even though Heavy Machine Operator might be a low paying job, with experience the salary might increase to satisfactory levels.What is considered a high salary for Heavy Machine Operator?
High salary for Heavy Machine Operator would be somewhere between 104,579 ZAR and 137,854 ZAR. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Heavy Machine 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: 95,072 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 7,923 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,828 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 46 ZAR per hour
By working as Heavy Machine Operator a person can save up to 123 USD per month or 1,482 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 Heavy Machine Operator
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:
Clinical educator (175,191 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Esthetician (75,380 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Abrasive blaster (85,720 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Sas administrator (177,234 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Interior decorator (97,601 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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