Home > Salary > South Africa > Ship Captain
A ship captain is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of a vessel, ensuring the smooth transportation of goods or passengers across waterways. They are in charge of navigating the ship, adhering to maritime laws and regulations, and supervising the crew. Captains oversee all aspects of the ship's operations, including planning routes, monitoring weather conditions, and managing the loading and unloading of cargo. They must possess strong leadership skills to effectively communicate with the crew and make decisions in emergency situations. Additionally, ship captains are responsible for maintaining the ship's equipment and ensuring compliance with safety protocols. This occupation requires a high level of expertise in navigation, seamanship, and maritime regulations.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 263,741 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 21,978 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 5,072 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 127 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 21,185 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,889 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 122 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-09
Estimated Yearly Salary: 13,122 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 1,094 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 252 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 6 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.
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Estimated Yearly Salary: 263,741 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 21,978 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 5,072 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 127 ZAR per hour
By working as Ship Captain a person can save up to 822 USD per month or 9,868 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 Ship Captain
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Ship Captain salary in South Africa
Average Yearly Salary of Ship Captain in South Africa is approximately 263,741 ZAR (13,122 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 Ship Captain do?

Skills: Ship captain, Maritime industry, Navigation, Leadership, Safety protocols, Crew management
Job industry: Maritime
Job industry: Maritime
How much does Ship Captain make?
Salary details
How much does Ship Captain make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 263,741 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 21,978 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 5,072 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 127 ZAR per hour
Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 254,220 ZAREstimated Monthly Salary: 21,185 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,889 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 122 ZAR per hour
Ship Captain estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 13,122 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 1,094 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 252 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
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 Ship Captain job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Ship Captain in South Africa earns on average:
2.08 times the average salary (or 208% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Ship Captain job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Ship Captain in South Africa earns on average:
2.08 times the average salary (or 208% of average salary).
Is Ship Captain a well paid job?
Yes, our data show that Ship Captain 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 Ship Captain?
High salary for Ship Captain would be somewhere between 290,115 ZAR and 382,424 ZAR. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Ship Captain 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: 263,741 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 21,978 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 5,072 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 127 ZAR per hour
By working as Ship Captain a person can save up to 822 USD per month or 9,868 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 Ship Captain
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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9. Oncologist
(1,071,922 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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(1,071,632 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Random salary:
Chief medical officer (cmo) (663,970 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Managed care director (239,336 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Coordinate measuring machine (cmm), operator (94,484 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Installation manager (124,521 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Vice president (vp), public policy (406,460 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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