Home > Salary > South Africa > Machinist I
A machinist is a skilled professional who operates various machine tools to create or modify precision parts and components. Their occupation involves interpreting engineering blueprints, setting up machines, selecting appropriate tools, and ensuring the accuracy of measurements. Machinists use lathes, milling machines, grinders, and other equipment to shape and finish metal and plastic materials. They may work in industries such as manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, or construction, where their expertise is crucial for producing high-quality products.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 101,339 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 8,445 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,949 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 49 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 8,130 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,876 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 47 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-06
Estimated Yearly Salary: 5,032 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 419 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 97 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: 101,339 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 8,445 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,949 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 49 ZAR per hour
By working as Machinist I a person can save up to 148 USD per month or 1,778 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 Machinist I
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
Random salary:
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Machinist I salary in South Africa
Average Yearly Salary of Machinist I in South Africa is approximately 101,339 ZAR (5,032 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 Machinist I do?

Skills: Machinist, Precision machining, Machine tools, Engineering blueprints, Metalworking, Manufacturing
Job industry: Manufacturing
Job industry: Manufacturing
How much does Machinist I make?
Salary details
How much does Machinist I make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 101,339 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 8,445 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,949 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 49 ZAR per hour
Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 97,560 ZAREstimated Monthly Salary: 8,130 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,876 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 47 ZAR per hour
Machinist I estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 5,032 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 419 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 97 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 Machinist I job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Machinist I in South Africa earns on average:
0.8 times the average salary (or 80% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Machinist I job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Machinist I in South Africa earns on average:
0.8 times the average salary (or 80% of average salary).
Is Machinist I a well paid job?
No / we do not have enough data to assess this.What is considered a high salary for Machinist I?
High salary for Machinist I would be somewhere between 111,473 ZAR and 146,942 ZAR. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Machinist I 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: 101,339 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 8,445 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,949 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 49 ZAR per hour
By working as Machinist I a person can save up to 148 USD per month or 1,778 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 Machinist I
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:
Oral and maxillofacial surgeon (892,490 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Field service technician (122,141 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Art appraiser (87,596 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
District attorney (149,190 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Sheet metal worker (122,365 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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