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Annual Ad Talent Salary Survey
Among the observations, Brenda Bensted-Smith, owner of Ad Talent says, "We have seen more digital, more tech, more remote working, more contract employment and more global engagement."
Key observations:
There was not much movement with regards to salary in 2022, except in tech and senior creative positions
There was a seismic shift in employer, employee relationships and working environments
In line with our 2021 survey, there is a continuing trend towards hiring on freelance, contract or short-term permanent basis with employers justifying this strategy by saying they are only dealing with tangible business in front of them
Hiring on contract with a view to go permanent is a common brief for us
Job descriptions became more blurred with hybrid skills high on the list of 'must haves' in the brief to us
Employers are demanding more work for the same pay. This doesn’t reflect in our survey as salary categories are quite binary and categorised into specific job descriptions
Despite the increase in opportunities in Cape Town and an increase in remote working the remuneration gap between Johannesburg and Cape Town is still evident
Remuneration in the tech space between the Johannesburg and Cape Town has closed and we have seen no difference between the two cities in most tech categories
We noticed an increase of approximately 10% in senior creatives
The difference between Johannesburg and Cape Town at junior to mid-level is significant at up to 20% in some categories
The “Events” category makes a comeback this year after missing the last two years because of Covid
Skilled candidates remain in high demand and their demands have shifted from strong financial rewards to flexibility around working hours and remote working. Lifestyle is a key factor for many when deciding to advance their careers
Sought-after skills such as social media and tech roles are well rewarded
Many candidates say they have taken on side hustles to make ends meet
The global workspace is open for South Africans and there are increasing opportunities for local talent to play on the world stage
The financial impact of Covid is still very evident and both employers and candidates are wary of risk
We have seen more counter-offers from employers upon resignation in 2022 than in any other year. Most counter-offers arise when employees resign because they want flexible work from home arrangements which the employer then grants
Skilled candidates are in demand and they know it!
Survey parameters
This survey was compiled:
using figures of actual placements made by Ad Talent
using figures from salary information obtained from all candidates interviewed by Ad Talent from January 2022 to December 2022
using figures from salary information obtained from candidates who have submitted their CVs to Ad Talent
using cost to company (CTC) figures
using the average salaries per sector
Interpretation:
Salaries vary significantly depending on many factors, including size of the company, desirability to work for a particular company and status
Salaries for media sales roles vary significantly depending on the commission structure / incentives
0-2 years (light) means 0 to 2 years experience in that particular position and NOT 0 to 2 years total working experience
The same applies for medium and heavy weight. It is experience in the particular position and NOT total working experience
This survey is not intended to be prescriptive, but is a report on what Ad Talent, (not the entire industry) has experienced in the past 12 months
Advertising | |||
0-2 yrs (light) | 2 – 5 yrs (medium) | 5 – 9 yrs (heavyweight) | |
Managing Director | |||
Johannesburg | R90 000 – R100 000 | R100 000 – R150 000 | R150 000+ |
Cape Town | R75 000 – R90 000 | R90 000 – R130 000 | R130 000+ |
Deputy MD | |||
Johannesburg | R85 000 – R94 000 | R94 000 – R100 000 | R100 000+ |
Cape Town | R75 000 – R84 000 | R84 000 – R93 000 | R93 000+ |
Client Service/Business Unit Director | |||
Johannesburg | R56 000 – R60 000 | R60 000 – R66 000 | R66 000+ |
Cape Town | R48 000 – R55 000 | R55 000 – R60 000 | R60 000+ |
Group Account Director | |||
Johannesburg | R49 000 – R54 000 | R54 000 – R60 000 | R60 000+ |
Cape Town | R45 000 – R50 000 | R50 000 – R55 000 | R55 000+ |
Account Director | |||
Johannesburg | R36 000 – R41 000 | R41 000 – R50 000 | N/A |
Cape Town | R35 000 – R40 000 | R40 000 – R46 000 | N/A |
Account Manager | |||
Johannesburg | R24 000 – R27 000 | R27 000 – R36 000 | N/A |
Cape Town | R18 000 – R20 000 | R20 000 – R30 000 | N/A |
Account Executive | |||
Johannesburg | R15 000 – R18 000 | R18 000 – R21 000 | N/A |
Cape Town | R12 000 – R15 000 | R15 000 – R17 000 | N/A |
Project Manager | |||
Johannesburg | R27 000 – R40 000 | R40 000 – R45 000 | R45 000+ |
Cape Town | R23 000 – R30 000 | R30 000 – R40 000 | R40 000+ |
Operations | |||
Johannesburg | R49 000 – R60 000 | R60 000 – R80 000 | R80 000+ |
Cape Town | R45 000 – R57 000 | R57 000 – R70 000 | R70 000+ |
Production | |||
Johannesburg | R14 000 – R22 000 | R22 000 – R40 000 | R40 000+ |
Cape Town | R12 000 – R20 000 | R20 000 – R35 000 | R35 000+ |
Traffic | |||
Johannesburg | R15 000 – R20 000 | R20 000 – R37 000 | R37 000+ |
Cape Town | R15 000 – R17 000 | R17 000 – R35 000 | R35 000+ |
Strategic Planning Director | |||
Johannesburg | R63 000 – R70 000 | R70 000 – R89 000 | R89 000+ |
Cape Town | R55 000 – R68 000 | R68 000 – R85 000 | R85 000+ |
Strategic Planner | |||
Johannesburg | R18 000 – R30 000 | R30 000 – R47 000 | R47 000+ |
Cape Town | R15 000 – R25 000 | R25 000 – R40 000 | R40 000+ |
Digital | |||
0-2 yrs (light) | 2 – 5 yrs (medium) | 5 – 9 yrs (heavyweight) | |
Digital Strategist | |||
Johannesburg | R20 000 – R34 000 | R34 000 – R50 000 | R50 000+ |
Cape Town | R20 000 – R30 000 | R30 000 – R50 000 | R50 000+ |
Social Media Manager | |||
Johannesburg | R22 000 – R30 000 | R30 000 – R45 000 | R45 000+ |
Cape Town | R17 000 – R20 000 | R20 000 – R30 000 | R30 000+ |
Head of Social Media | |||
Johannesburg | R40 000 – R47 000 | R47 000 – R65 000 | R65 000+ |
Cape Town | R38 000 – R45 000 | R45 000 – R60 000 | R60 000+ |
Social Media Community Manager | |||
Johannesburg | R15 000 – R22 000 | R22 000 – R38 000 | N/A |
Cape Town | R15 000 – R18 000 | R18 000 – R30 000 | N/A |
Influencer | |||
Johannesburg | R15 000 – R28 000 | R28 000 – R40 000 | R40 000+ |
Cape Town | R12 000 – R28 000 | R28 000 – R40 000 | R40 000+ |
Campaign Manager | |||
Johannesburg | R21 000 – R32 000 | R32 000 – R40 000 | R40 000+ |
Cape Town | R20 000 – R28 000 | R28 000 – R35 000 | R35 000+ |
Content Manager | |||
Johannesburg | R20 000 – R38 000 | R38 000 – R40 000 | R40 000+ |
Cape Town | R15 000 – R25 000 | R25 000 – R38 000 | R35 000+ |
Digital Account Executive | |||
Johannesburg | R17 000 – R20 000 | R20 000 – R23 000 | N/A |
Cape Town | R14 000 – R18 000 | R18 000 – R20 000 | N/A |
Digital Account Manager | |||
Johannesburg | R26 500 – R30 000 | R30 000 – R40 000 | N/A |
Cape Town | R20 000 – R25 000 | R25 000 – R35 000 | N/A |
Digital Account Director | |||
Johannesburg | R40 000 – R45 000 | R45 000 – R50 000 | N/A |
Cape Town | R37 000 – R42 000 | R42 000 – R48 000 | N/A |
Digital Group Account Director | |||
Johannesburg | R52 000 – R56 000 | R56 000 – R62 000 | R62 000+ |
Cape Town | R47 000 – R52 000 | R52 000 – R58 000 | R58 000+ |
SEO Specialist | |||
Johannesburg | R20 000 – R28 000 | R28 000 – R38 000 | R38 000+ |
Cape Town | R18 000 – R25 000 | R25 000 – R30 000 | R30 000+ |
PPC Specialist / Manager | |||
Johannesburg | R20 000 – R23 000 | R23 000 – R35 000 | R35 000+ |
Cape Town | R15 000 – R20 000 | R20 000 – R30 000 | R30 000+ |
Data Insights Specialist | |||
Johannesburg | R25 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R50 000 | R50 000+ |
Cape Town | R25 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R50 000 | R50 000+ |
Head of Data Insights and Analytics | |||
Johannesburg | R50 000 – R80 000 | R80 000 – R120 000 | R120 000+ |
Cape Town | R50 000 – R80 000 | R80 000 – R120 000 | R120 000+ |
Digital / Media / Marketing Analyst | |||
Johannesburg | R20 000 – R30 000 | R30 000 – R40 000 | R40 000+ |
Cape Town | R18 000 – R25 000 | R25 000 – R38 000 | R38 000+ |
Creative | |||
0-2 yrs (light) | 2 – 5 yrs (medium) | 5 – 9 yrs (heavyweight) | |
Chief Creative Officer | |||
Johannesburg | N/A | N/A | R150 000+ |
Cape Town | N/A | N/A | R135 000+ |
Group/Executive Creative Director | |||
Johannesburg | N/A | N/A | R120 000+ |
Cape Town | N/A | N/A | R105 000+ |
Creative Director | |||
Johannesburg | R52 000 – R68 000 | R68 000 – R95 000 | R95 000+ |
Cape Town | R40 000 – R48 000 | R48 000 – R90 000 | R90 000+ |
Head of Design | |||
Johannesburg | R38 000 – R52 000 | R52 000 – R62 000 | R62 000+ |
Cape Town | R35 000 – R40 000 | R40 000 – R55 000 | R55 000+ |
Designer | |||
Johannesburg | R10 000 – R18 000 | R18 000 – R45 000 | R45 000+ |
Cape Town | R10 000 – R17 000 | R17 000 – R40 000 | R40 000+ |
Creative Group Head | |||
Johannesburg | R38 000 – R45 000 | R45 000 – R55 000 | R55 000+ |
Cape Town | R30 000 – R40 000 | R40 000 – R50 000 | R50 000+ |
Art Director | |||
Johannesburg | R12 000 – R18 000 | R18 000 – R38 000 | R38 000 – R65 000 |
Cape Town | R10 000 – R18 000 | R18 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R50 000 |
Copywriter | |||
Johannesburg | R11 000 – R18 000 | R18 000 – R45 000 | R45 000 – R70 000 |
Cape Town | R10 000 – R17 000 | R17 000 – R38 000 | R38 000 – R60 000 |
Proofreader | |||
Johannesburg | R15 000 – R20 000 | R20 000 – R30 000 | R30 000 – R47 000 |
Cape Town | R10 000 – R15 000 | R15 000 – R25 000 | R25 000 – R40 000 |
Creative Strategist | |||
Johannesburg | N/A | R23 000 – R38 000 | R38 000 – R50 000 |
Cape Town | N/A | R20 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R45 000 |
Studio Manager | |||
Johannesburg | R33 000 – R36 000 | R36 000 – R42 000 | R42 000 – R55 000 |
Cape Town | R28 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R40 000 | R40 000 – R50 000 |
DTP Operator | |||
Johannesburg | R9 500 – R16 000 | R16 000 – R25 000 | R25 000 – R40 000 |
Cape Town | R8 000 – R15 000 | R15 000 – R24 000 | R24 000 – R36 000 |
Promo Director/Producer | |||
Johannesburg | R20 000 – R25 000 | R25 000 – R45 000 | R45 000 – R58 000 |
Cape Town | R15 000 – R20 000 | R20 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R40 000 |
Animator | |||
Johannesburg | R14 000 – R18 000 | R18 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R57 000 |
Cape Town | R12 000 – R16 000 | R16 000 – R26 000 | R26 000 – R45 000 |
Video Editor | |||
Johannesburg | R10 000 – R17 000 | R17 000 – R30 000 | R30 000 – R48 000 |
Cape Town | R10 000 – R15 000 | R15 000 – R25 000 | R25 000 – R40 000 |
Multimedia Designer | |||
Johannesburg | R13 000 – R20 000 | R20 000 – R38 000 | R38 000 – R52 000 |
Cape Town | R13 000 – R16 000 | R16 000 – R30 000 | R30 000 – R45 000 |
User Experience (UX) Lead | |||
Johannesburg | N/A | N/A | R78 000+ |
Cape Town | N/A | N/A | R65 000+ |
User Experience (UX) Designers | |||
Johannesburg | R18 000 – R27 000 | R27 000 – R48 000 | R48 000+ |
Cape Town | R15 000 – R20 000 | R20 000 – R40 000 | R40 000+ |
User Experience (UI) Designers | |||
Johannesburg | R19 000 – R28 000 | R28 000 – R44 000 | R44 000+ |
Cape Town | R17 000 – R22 000 | R22 000 – R35 000 | R35 000+ |
Motion Designer | |||
Johannesburg | R20 000 – R38 000 | R38 000 – R45 000 | R45 000+ |
Cape Town | R18 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R42 000 | R42 000+ |
IT / Tech | |||
0-2 yrs (light) | 2 – 5 yrs (medium) | 5 – 9 yrs (heavyweight) | |
Front-end Developer | |||
Johannesburg | R25 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R59 000 | R59 000+ |
Cape Town | R25 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R59 000 | R59 000+ |
Back-end Developer | |||
Johannesburg | R28 000 – R50 000 | R50 000 – R70 000 | R70 000+ |
Cape Town | R28 000 – R50 000 | R50 000 – R70 000 | R70 000+ |
Full-stack Developer | |||
Johannesburg | R28 000 – R45 000 | R45 000 – R60 000 | R60 000+ |
Cape Town | R28 000 – R45 000 | R45 000 – R60 000 | R60 000+ |
Web Engineer | |||
Johannesburg | R36 000 – R50 000 | R50 000 – R90 000 | R90 000+ |
Cape Town | R36 000 – R50 000 | R50 000 – R90 000 | R90 000+ |
Java Developer | |||
Johannesburg | R25 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R70 000 | R70 000+ |
Cape Town | R25 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R70 000 | R70 000+ |
Scrum Masters | |||
Johannesburg | R24 000 – R34 000 | R34 000 – R55 000 | R55 000+ |
Cape Town | R24 000 – R34 000 | R34 000 – R55 000 | R55 000+ |
IT Manager | |||
Johannesburg | R25 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R55 000 | R55 000+ |
Cape Town | R25 000 – R38 000 | R38 000 – R58 000 | R58 000+ |
Solutions Architect | |||
Johannesburg | R35 000 – R45 000 | R45 000 – R70 000 | R70 000+ |
Cape Town | R35 000 – R45 000 | R45 000 – R65 000 | R65 000+ |
Marketing | |||
0-2 yrs (light) | 2 – 5 yrs (medium) | 5 – 9 yrs (heavyweight) | |
Head of Digital Marketing | |||
Johannesburg | R45 000 – R60 000 | R60 000 – R80 000 | R80 000+ |
Cape Town | R40 000 – R55 000 | R55 000 – R75 000 | R75 000+ |
Digital Marketing Manager | |||
Johannesburg | R35 000 – R48 000 | R48 000 – R60 000 | R60 000+ |
Cape Town | R32 000 – R45 000 | R45 000 – R55 000 | R55 000+ |
Group Marketing Head | |||
Johannesburg | R79 000 – R86 000 | R86 000 – R145 000 | R145 000+ |
Cape Town | R64 000 – R77 000 | R77 000 – R135 000 | R135 000+ |
Marketing Director | |||
Johannesburg | R58 000 – R72 000 | R72 000 – R88 000 | R88 000+ |
Cape Town | R54 000 – R70 000 | R70 000 – R80 000 | R80 000+ |
Marketing Manager | |||
Johannesburg | R55 000 – R60 000 | R60 000 – R80 000 | R80 000+ |
Cape Town | R52 000 – R55 000 | R55 000 – R70 000 | R70 000+ |
Brand Manager | |||
Johannesburg | R35 000 – R50 000 | R50 000 – R70 000 | R70 000+ |
Cape Town | R30 000 – R45 000 | R45 000 – R60 000 | R60 000+ |
E-Commerce Manager | |||
Johannesburg | R30 000 – R40 000 | R40 000 – R60 000 | R60 000+ |
Cape Town | R30 000 – R38 000 | R38 000 – R55 000 | R55 000+ |
Brand/Marketing Assistant | |||
Johannesburg | R15 000 – R25 000 | R25 000 – R35 000 | N/A |
Cape Town | R15 000 – R20 000 | R20 000 – R32 000 | N/A |
Martech (Marketing Technology Specialist) | |||
Johannesburg | R38 000 – R52 000 | R52 000 – R65 000 | R65 000+ |
Cape Town | R35 000 – R45 000 | R45 000 – R60 000 | R60 000+ |
Loyalty/CRM Manager | |||
Johannesburg | R25 000 – R45 000 | R45 000 – R55 000 | R55 000+ |
Cape Town | R25 000 – R45 000 | R45 000 – R55 000 | R55 000+ |
Corporate Communications | |||
0-2 yrs (light) | 2 – 5 yrs (medium) | 5 – 9 yrs (heavyweight) | |
Communications Director | |||
Johannesburg | R37 000 – R55 000 | R55 000 – R75 000 | R75 000 – R130 000 |
Cape Town | R32 000 – R42 000 | R42 000 – R62 000 | R62 000 – R100 000 |
Communications Manager | |||
Johannesburg | R30 000 – R40 000 | R40 000 – R68 000 | R68 000 – R90 000 |
Cape Town | R25 000 – R42 000 | R42 000 – R47 000 | R47 000 – R75 000 |
Communications Officer/Consultant | |||
Johannesburg | R20 000 – R30 000 | R30 000 – R40 000 | R40 000 – R45 000 |
Cape Town | R18 000 – R26 000 | R26 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R41 000 |
Internal Communications Manager | |||
Johannesburg | R27 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R48 000 | R48 000 – R78 000 |
Cape Town | R25 000 – R30 000 | R30 000 – R45 000 | R45 000 – R60 000 |
PR Consultancies | |||
0-2 yrs (light) | 2 – 5 yrs (medium) | 5 – 9 yrs (heavyweight) | |
Managing Director | |||
Johannesburg | R65 000 – R80 000 | R80 000 – R100 000 | R100 000+ |
Cape Town | R60 000 – R70 000 | R70 000 – R90 000 | R90 000+ |
Account Director | |||
Johannesburg | R38 000 – R45 000 | R45 000 – R58 000 | R58 000+ |
Cape Town | R35 000 – R42 000 | R42 000 – R50 000 | R50 000 + |
Account Manager | |||
Johannesburg | R28 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R40 000 | R40 000+ |
Cape Town | R28 000 – R33 000 | R33 000 – R38 000 | R38 000+ |
Account Executive | |||
Johannesburg | R22 000 – R26 000 | R26 000 – R28 000 | N/A |
Cape Town | R19 000 – R25 000 | R25 000 – R28 000 | N/A |
Media | |||
0-2 yrs (light) | 2 – 5 yrs (medium) | 5 – 9 yrs (heavyweight) | |
Media Sales Director | |||
Johannesburg | R40 000 – R50 000 | R50 000 – R70 000 | R70 000+ |
Cape Town | R38 000 – R48 000 | R48 000 – R65 000 | R65 000+ |
Media Sales Executive | |||
Johannesburg | R25 000 – R30 000 | R30 000 – R40 000 | R40 000+ |
Cape Town | R20 000 – R28 000 | R28 000 – R38 000 | R38 000+ |
Digital Sales Executive | |||
Johannesburg | R27 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R45 000 | R45 000+ |
Cape Town | R25 000 – R30 000 | R30 000 – R42 000 | R42 000+ |
Events Manager | |||
Johannesburg | R15 000 – R25 000 | R25 000 – R45 000 | R45 000+ |
Cape Town | R12 000 – R20 000 | R20 000 – R40 000 | R40 000+ |