Home > Salary > South Africa > Translator
A translator is a professional who specializes in converting written or spoken content from one language to another. They play a crucial role in facilitating communication between individuals or organizations that speak different languages. Translators possess excellent language skills and a deep understanding of both the source and target languages, along with cultural nuances and context. They are responsible for accurately conveying the meaning and tone of the original text while ensuring it is culturally appropriate and understandable to the target audience.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 111,777 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 9,315 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,150 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 54 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 8,992 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,075 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 52 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-09
Estimated Yearly Salary: 5,567 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 464 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 107 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 3 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: 111,777 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 9,315 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,150 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 54 ZAR per hour
By working as Translator a person can save up to 193 USD per month or 2,313 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 Translator
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
Random salary:
Back office medical assistant (69,826 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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Communications manager (181,920 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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Translator salary in South Africa
Average Yearly Salary of Translator in South Africa is approximately 111,777 ZAR (5,567 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 Translator do?

Skills: Translator, Language Specialist, Bilingual Communication, Interpretation, Localization, Multilingual Proficiency
Job industry: Language services
Job industry: Language services
How much does Translator make?
Salary details
How much does Translator make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 111,777 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 9,315 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,150 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 54 ZAR per hour
Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 107,900 ZAREstimated Monthly Salary: 8,992 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,075 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 52 ZAR per hour
Translator estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 5,567 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 464 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 107 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 3 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 Translator job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Translator in South Africa earns on average:
0.88 times the average salary (or 88% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Translator job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Translator in South Africa earns on average:
0.88 times the average salary (or 88% of average salary).
Is Translator a well paid job?
Yes, our data show that Translator is an averagely well paid job that still allows for some yearly savings. With years and experience the salary might increase even further, resulting in higher satisfaction.What is considered a high salary for Translator?
High salary for Translator would be somewhere between 122,955 ZAR and 162,077 ZAR. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Translator 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: 111,777 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 9,315 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,150 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 54 ZAR per hour
By working as Translator a person can save up to 193 USD per month or 2,313 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 Translator
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
Top 10 highest salaries in South Africa
(1,412,867 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
2. Cardiologist
(1,176,011 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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(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.)
Random salary:
Back office medical assistant (69,826 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Pc maintenance technician (87,596 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Medical referral coordinator (73,627 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Communications manager (181,920 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Field sales representative pharmaceuticals (229,357 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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