Home > Salary > South Africa > Operating Engineer
An operating engineer is a skilled professional responsible for operating, maintaining, and repairing heavy machinery and equipment used in construction, manufacturing, and other industries. They work with a variety of equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, excavators, loaders, and forklifts, to ensure smooth operations and efficient production. Operating engineers are trained to interpret blueprints, operate controls, and perform routine maintenance tasks to keep the equipment in optimal condition. They are also responsible for monitoring safety protocols and ensuring compliance with regulations.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 178,955 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 14,913 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 3,441 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 86 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 14,412 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 3,326 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 83 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-06
Estimated Yearly Salary: 8,946 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 746 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 172 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 4 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: 178,955 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 14,913 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 3,441 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 86 ZAR per hour
By working as Operating Engineer a person can save up to 474 USD per month or 5,692 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 Operating Engineer
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Operating Engineer salary in South Africa
Average Yearly Salary of Operating Engineer in South Africa is approximately 178,955 ZAR (8,946 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 Operating Engineer do?
An operating engineer is a skilled professional responsible for operating, maintaining, and repairing heavy machinery and equipment used in construction, manufacturing, and other industries. They work with a variety of equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, excavators, loaders, and forklifts, to ensure smooth operations and efficient production. Operating engineers are trained to interpret blueprints, operate controls, and perform routine maintenance tasks to keep the equipment in optimal condition. They are also responsible for monitoring safety protocols and ensuring compliance with regulations.
Skills: operating engineer, heavy machinery, equipment operator, construction, maintenance, safety
Job industry: Construction
Job industry: Construction
How much does Operating Engineer make?
Salary details
How much does Operating Engineer make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 178,955 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 14,913 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 3,441 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 86 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax Last revision of data: 2025-01-04Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 172,940 ZAREstimated Monthly Salary: 14,412 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 3,326 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 83 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-06Operating Engineer estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 8,946 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 746 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 172 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 4 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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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 Operating Engineer job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Operating Engineer in South Africa earns on average:
1.41 times the average salary (or 141% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Operating Engineer job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Operating Engineer in South Africa earns on average:
1.41 times the average salary (or 141% of average salary).
Is Operating Engineer a well paid job?
Yes, our data shows that Operating Engineer is a well paid job. With years and experience the salary might increase even further, resulting in higher satisfaction.What is considered a high salary for Operating Engineer?
High salary for Operating Engineer would be somewhere between 196,851 ZAR and 259,485 ZAR. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Operating Engineer 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: 178,955 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 14,913 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 3,441 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 86 ZAR per hour
By working as Operating Engineer a person can save up to 474 USD per month or 5,692 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 Operating Engineer
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
(1,412,867 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
2. Cardiologist
(1,176,011 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
(1,138,908 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
(1,102,268 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
5. Neurosurgeon
(1,100,784 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
(1,077,960 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
(1,073,792 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
(1,073,439 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
9. Oncologist
(1,071,922 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
10. Urologist
(1,071,632 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Data as of 2025Random salary:
Routing clerk truck (92,670 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Healthlifestyle advisor (78,525 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Project leader general (182,812 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Professor of psychology (229,731 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Bakery utility person (75,380 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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Salary details displayed on this website are meant for reference purposes exclusively. Our data is sourced through multiple sources and may not always be accurate. Users must cross-reference salary information through other means before making employment decisions. The figures listed here may change due to variables such as company policies, experience levels, and demand shifts. We cannot guarantee that the information provided is flawless. By using this website, you accept that salary information is presented 'as is' and without assurances.