Home > Salary > South Africa > Machine Learning Specialist
A machine learning specialist is a professional who specializes in creating and implementing algorithms and models to enable machines to learn from data and make intelligent decisions or predictions. They work on developing and designing machine learning systems, collecting and preprocessing data, selecting appropriate models, training and fine-tuning models, and evaluating their performance.
The role of a machine learning specialist requires a deep understanding of statistics, mathematics, and programming languages like Python or R. They should have expertise in various machine learning techniques such as supervised and unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning, and deep learning. Additionally, they need to be proficient in using machine learning frameworks and libraries such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or scikit-learn.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 261,218 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 21,768 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 5,023 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 126 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 21,062 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,860 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 122 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-02
Estimated Yearly Salary: 13,049 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 1,087 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 251 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 6 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: 261,218 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 21,768 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 5,023 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 126 ZAR per hour
By working as Machine Learning Specialist a person can save up to 816 USD per month or 9,795 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 Machine Learning Specialist
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Machine Learning Specialist salary in South Africa
Average Yearly Salary of Machine Learning Specialist in South Africa is approximately 261,218 ZAR (13,049 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 Machine Learning Specialist do?

Skills: Machine Learning Specialist, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Algorithm Development, Data Analysis, Model Training
Job industry: Technology
Job industry: Technology
How much does Machine Learning Specialist make?
Salary details
How much does Machine Learning Specialist make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 261,218 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 21,768 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 5,023 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 126 ZAR per hour
Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 252,740 ZAREstimated Monthly Salary: 21,062 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,860 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 122 ZAR per hour
Machine Learning Specialist estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 13,049 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 1,087 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 251 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 6 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 Machine Learning Specialist job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Machine Learning Specialist in South Africa earns on average:
2.06 times the average salary (or 206% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Machine Learning Specialist job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Machine Learning Specialist in South Africa earns on average:
2.06 times the average salary (or 206% of average salary).
Is Machine Learning Specialist a well paid job?
Yes, our data show that Machine Learning Specialist is a very well paid job. With years and experience the salary might increase even further, resulting in higher satisfaction.What is considered a high salary for Machine Learning Specialist?
High salary for Machine Learning Specialist would be somewhere between 287,340 ZAR and 378,766 ZAR. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Machine Learning Specialist 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: 261,218 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 21,768 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 5,023 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 126 ZAR per hour
By working as Machine Learning Specialist a person can save up to 816 USD per month or 9,795 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 Machine Learning Specialist
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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