Home > Salary > South Africa > Social Scientist
A social scientist is a professional who studies human behavior and society through scientific methods. They conduct research, collect and analyze data, and interpret findings to gain insights into various aspects of social life. Social scientists use a range of methodologies such as surveys, experiments, interviews, and observations to explore topics like social structures, cultural norms, political systems, economic patterns, and psychological processes.
Their work involves identifying and understanding social issues, trends, and phenomena, and providing evidence-based recommendations for policy-making, program development, and social interventions. Social scientists often work in academic institutions, research organizations, government agencies, or consulting firms. They may specialize in areas such as sociology, anthropology, psychology, economics, political science, or geography.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 242,192 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 20,183 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,658 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 116 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 19,462 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,491 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 112 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-05
Estimated Yearly Salary: 12,105 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 1,009 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 233 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.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Estimated Yearly Salary: 242,192 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 20,183 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,658 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 116 ZAR per hour
By working as Social Scientist a person can save up to 738 USD per month or 8,851 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 Social Scientist
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Social Scientist salary in South Africa
Average Yearly Salary of Social Scientist in South Africa is approximately 242,192 ZAR (12,105 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 Social Scientist do?
A social scientist is a professional who studies human behavior and society through scientific methods. They conduct research, collect and analyze data, and interpret findings to gain insights into various aspects of social life. Social scientists use a range of methodologies such as surveys, experiments, interviews, and observations to explore topics like social structures, cultural norms, political systems, economic patterns, and psychological processes.
Their work involves identifying and understanding social issues, trends, and phenomena, and providing evidence-based recommendations for policy-making, program development, and social interventions. Social scientists often work in academic institutions, research organizations, government agencies, or consulting firms. They may specialize in areas such as sociology, anthropology, psychology, economics, political science, or geography.
Skills: Social scientist, Research, Human behavior, Society, Data analysis, Policy-making
Job industry: Research and development
Job industry: Research and development
How much does Social Scientist make?
Salary details
How much does Social Scientist make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 242,192 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 20,183 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,658 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 116 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax Last revision of data: 2025-01-04Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 233,540 ZAREstimated Monthly Salary: 19,462 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,491 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 112 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-05Social Scientist estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 12,105 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 1,009 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 233 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 6 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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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 Social Scientist job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Social Scientist in South Africa earns on average:
1.91 times the average salary (or 191% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Social Scientist job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Social Scientist in South Africa earns on average:
1.91 times the average salary (or 191% of average salary).
Is Social Scientist a well paid job?
Yes, our data shows that Social Scientist 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 Social Scientist?
High salary for Social Scientist would be somewhere between 266,411 ZAR and 351,178 ZAR. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Social Scientist 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: 242,192 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 20,183 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 4,658 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 116 ZAR per hour
By working as Social Scientist a person can save up to 738 USD per month or 8,851 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 Social Scientist
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:
Ultrasonographer (157,421 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Evs operator (73,627 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Tax accounting specialist (112,987 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Practice assistant (125,682 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Nail artist (61,698 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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