These are the most in-demand jobs in South Africa (2024)

·13 Mar 2024

Jobs in finance and sales are the most in demand in South Africa, with the labour market taking a hit from the delayed start to the school year.

This is according to Pnet’s Job Market Trends Report, which looks at the jobs and sectors that have been most in demand over the previous month.

From January 2022 to January 2024, there was a 4% decrease in recruitment activity.

Year-on-year, the figure is worst, dropping by 8% from January 2023.

“January 2024 showed low hiring activity for this time of the year,” said Pnet.

“This is partly attributed to the long school holiday period. School holidays have a significant impact on economic activity and productivity since a substantial part of the country’s workforce takes leave during school holidays,”

“In 2022, the first day of school was 12 January; in 2023, the first day of school was 11 January; this year, the first day of school was 17 January. As a result, January 2024 was left with significantly fewer working days (after the school holidays) compared to the years before.”

The simple delay in the start of the school year had an immediate impact on hiring and economic activity.

These are the most in-demand jobs in South Africa (2)

Looking at January’s hiring activity, these are trending jobs that showed increased demand for workers and professionals.

  • Retail (Sales)
  • Credit Management (Finance)
  • Accounts Payable/Receivable (Finance)
  • Bookkeeping (Finance)
  • Representative/ Sales Consulting (Sales)

Sectors

Despite the overall drop in hiring activity, several sectors have also increased hiring over the year.

Sector-specific hiring activity affects not only the local job market but also the state of the South African economy. Stable and increasing recruitment activity indicates confidence in the local economy and business growth.

Pnet said that the top trending sectors showing year-on-year growth are:

Cleaning, Maintenance & Repair

There was a 20% increase in hiring activity year-on-year, with the sector seeing stable hiring activity over the past 13 months.

In Q4 2023, the sector experienced elevated hiring activity.

Building & Construction

Year-on-year, there was a +23% increase in hiring activity.

Despite hiring activity decreasing in December and January, this sector experienced growing recruitment activity throughout most of 2023.

Architecture & Engineering

Year-on-year, there was a 17% increase in hiring activity.

Much like building & construction, there was a drop in December and January, but hiring activity remained steady in 2023.

Read: Employees in South Africa give the middle finger to the latest work from home shift

These are the most in-demand jobs in South Africa (2024)

FAQs

These are the most in-demand jobs in South Africa? ›

Finance, administration, office and support, medical and health, and sales are the four sectors with the top five most in-demand jobs in South Africa. This is according to the Pnet Job Market Trends Report, which offers insights into recruitment and employment trends in the South African job market.

What is the most demanded job in South Africa? ›

Jobs in finance and sales are the most in demand in South Africa, with the labour market taking a hit from the delayed start to the school year. This is according to Pnet's Job Market Trends Report, which looks at the jobs and sectors that have been most in demand over the previous month.

What job is most in demand? ›

12 high-demand jobs
  • Web developer. ...
  • Technical writer. ...
  • Paralegal. ...
  • Statistician. ...
  • Medical assistant. ...
  • Substance abuse counselor. ...
  • Health services manager. ...
  • Nurse practitioner. Nurse practitioners are advanced in their field, having achieved higher education than a registered nurse in order to consult with and diagnose patients.
Apr 5, 2024

Is marketing in demand in South Africa? ›

Companies rely on skilled sales and marketing professionals to drive revenue growth and expand their customer base. Candidates with expertise in digital marketing, social media management, content creation, and sales strategy development are in demand across various industries.

What is the number 1 paying job in South Africa? ›

Senior executives, particularly Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Managing Directors, who lead global organizations, earn high incomes and the highest paying jobs in South Africa. These CEOs and Managing Directors' counsel on organizational strategy has a direct impact on their company's performance and growth.

Which course is the most in demand in South Africa? ›

Engineering Courses

It covers many fields, each playing an essential role in shaping modern societies. In South Africa, demand is high for specialized engineering courses due to the country's focus on sustainable development and industrial growth.

What is the most common job in Africa? ›

The agricultural sector employs about 60% of jobs in Africa, with the main income sources from large farms which produce products such as coffee, cocoa, cotton and rubber.

What is the most needed thing in South Africa? ›

High Demand Products in South Africa
  • South African wines.
  • Fruits and nuts.
  • Clothing and footwear.
  • Gems and precious metals.
  • Vehicles.
  • Rubber.
Nov 1, 2022

Which industry makes the most money in South Africa? ›

In 2019, the financial industry contributed US$41.4 billion to South Africa's GDP. In 2021, South Africa-based financial institutions managed more than US$1.41 trillion in assets. The total market capitalization of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange is US$1.28 trillion as of October 2021.

What kind of business is in demand in South Africa? ›

Consulting services are in high demand in South Africa, particularly in business strategy, marketing, finance, and human resources. Opportunities exist for consultants who can offer specialised expertise to clients in various industries, such as mining, agriculture, healthcare, and technology.

What is a very good salary in South Africa? ›

What is a good salary in South Africa? A good salary in South Africa depends on a number of factors, including your experience, education, industry, location and lifestyle. However, according to data from Numbeo, a salary of R30,000 or more per month is considered to be good.

What is the top 1 salary in South Africa? ›

According to an article published by BusinessTech, the top 1% salary in the country is estimated to be around R2. 5 million per year and R215 330 per month. This means that individuals earning this amount or more fall into the top 1% income bracket. The top 10% make R65 310 per month and just over R783 000 per year.

Which job gives the most money? ›

Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in USA (Inc Salaries)
  1. Chief Executive Officer. The company's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is responsible for guiding the company towards success and growth. ...
  2. Physician/ Doctor. ...
  3. Psychiatrist. ...
  4. Airline Pilot. ...
  5. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. ...
  6. Orthodontist. ...
  7. Lawyer. ...
  8. Architectural and Engineering Manager.

What jobs are in shortage in South Africa? ›

According to BusinessTech and Intergate Immigration , the Department of Home Affairs listed the following as shortage occupations in South Africa in 2022:
  • software developer.
  • developer programmer.
  • data scientist.
  • ICT system analyst.
  • market research analyst.
  • actuary.
  • investment analyst.
  • external auditor.
Jul 31, 2023

Why is it so hard to find a job in South Africa? ›

In addition to the challenges of high unemployment rates, skills mismatches, not having enough experience, and the impact of COVID-19, job seekers in South Africa face various other barriers, including limited access to education and training opportunities, workplace discrimination, and structural inequalities.

Which career is rare in South Africa? ›

What are the rarest careers in South Africa? Rare careers include Quantity Surveyor, Civil Engineer, and Manager, with rareness factors of 3.3, 3.2, and 3.5 respectively.

Do jobs in South Africa pay well? ›

According to Stats SA and their quarterly employment survey (QES), the average income in South Africa is (gross) R303,648 per year or R25,304 per month.

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