Graphic Designer Salary South Africa: Explained in Detail

Graphic design is the basic form of expressing thoughts or conveying messages visually. Graphic Designers, also known as Communication Designers, are accountable for creating creatives for various projects, from websites to print ads and more.

Graphic designers play a crucial role in determining the success of any business. They create valuable, significant, and applicable visuals. Using a combination of art and technology, they use various design elements to create distinctive visuals for clients and companies.

If you are considering a graphic design career, you may wonder how to become a graphic designer, what skills are required to stand out, and whether this is a high-paying job. In this article, let us learn everything you need to know about becoming a graphic designer, including the skills required, the average Graphic Designer Salary South Africa and the highest-paying cities in South Africa for Graphic Designer roles.

Graphic Designer Salary South Africa

A graphic designer is a professional who creates visual content to communicate messages. These professionals use various design elements to prepare concepts that inspire, inform, and fascinate customers. They are employed in various industries to create designs for advertising, publishing, digital media, and product packaging.

According to Glassdoor, the estimated total pay for graphic designers in South Africa ranges between ZAR 11T and ZAR 23T per month. These figures can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, industry, and the designer’s specific skill set.

Here is a detailed analysis of graphic designer salaries at different experience levels, geographical locations, and industry types.

Average Graphic Designer Salary South Africa

The average salary of a graphic designer in South Africa can vary widely based on the factors mentioned above. Here is a detailed analysis of the typical earnings for graphic designers at different levels of experience.

According to Glassdoor, here is the average salary for Graphic Designers in South Africa on the level of experience:

Average Graphic Designer Salary South Africa
Entry-Level Graphic Designer Salary	ZAR 120,000 to ZAR 180,000 per year
Mid-Level Graphic Designer Salary	ZAR 180,000 to ZAR 360,000 per year
Senior-Level Graphic Designer Salary	ZAR 360,000 to ZAR 600,000+ per year

Per Month Graphic Designer Salary South Africa

The monthly salary of graphic designers in South Africa ranges between ZAR 11T and ZAR 23T. Here are detailed typical monthly earnings for graphic designers at different levels of experience.

According to the Glassdoor, here is the Graphic Design Salary Per Month in South Africa

Per Month Graphic Designer Salary South Africa
Entry-Level Graphic Designer Salary	ZAR 10,000 to ZAR 15,000 per month
Mid-Level Graphic Designer Salary	ZAR 15,000 to ZAR 30,000 per month
Senior-Level Graphic Designer Salary	ZAR 30,000 to ZAR 50,000+ per month

Highest-paying cities in South Africa for Graphic Design

The salary for graphic designers in South Africa can vary significantly depending on the city. Major metropolitan areas tend to offer higher salaries due to a higher cost of living and greater demand for skilled professionals. According to Indeed, here are some of the country’s top cities that offer the highest salaries for Graphic Designers:

Highest-paying cities in South Africa for Graphic Designers
Cities In South Africa’s	Average Base Salary
Cape Town, Western Cape	R 15,167 per month
Midrand, Gauteng	R 14,878 per month
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal	R 13,733 per month
Sandton, Gauteng	R 13,707 per month
East London, Eastern Cape	R 13,533 per month
Johannesburg, Gauteng	R 13,424 per month
Pretoria, Gauteng	R 12,393 per month
Centurion, Gauteng	R 12,293 per month
Randburg, Gauteng	R 10,002 per month

Read more – How Much Does a Graphic Designer Earn: Gain Insights

Top Companies Salary for the Graphic Design Roles

The salary for graphic designers can vary based on the company size, industry, and location. According to Glassdoor, here is an overview of salary ranges offered by some top companies and sectors in South Africa:

Top Companies’ Salary for the Graphic Designer Roles
Company Name	Average Salary
OfferZen	ZAR 21T – ZAR 28T per month
Mr Price Group Limited	ZAR 21T – ZAR 30T per month
Derivco (Pty) Ltd	ZAR 17T – ZAR 32T per month
Massmart	ZAR 14T – ZAR 2L per month
Regenesys Business School	ZAR 12T – ZAR 17T per month
Lion Marketing	ZAR 10T – ZAR 18T per month
Caxton and CTP Group	ZAR 7T – ZAR 9T per month
PostNet	ZAR 6T – ZAR 8T per month
DigiOutsource	ZAR 3T – ZAR 48T per month

Top Countries Paying High Salary for Graphic Design Roles

Graphic designers can find lucrative opportunities in various countries around the world, with some offering particularly high salaries due to the strong demand for creative skills, advanced technology sectors, and robust digital industries.

According to Glassdoor and Indeed, here are some of the top countries known for paying high salaries to graphic designers:

Top Countries Paying High Salary for Graphic Designer Roles
Country	Average Base Pay
South Africa (ZAR)	ZAR 15T – ZAR 26T per month
India (₹)	₹4L – ₹6L per year
Canada (CA $)	CA$46K – CA$67K per year
Germany (€)	€36T – €49T per year
Australia (A$)	A$ 60k – A$ 83k per year
Singapore (SGD)	SGD3k – SGD4K per month
Switzerland (CHF)	CHF50T – CHF85T per year
United States ($)	$55T – $92T per year
United Kingdom (₤)	£26 T to £39 T per year

How to Become a Graphic Designer?

A graphic designer produces designs that inform, entertain, and capture consumers’ attention. This field requires a solid theoretical foundation in design and a practical understanding of the tools of the trade.

Becoming a graphic designer involves developing creative skills, gaining relevant education, and building a strong portfolio. Many online courses are available to help you gain a basic understanding of the field, and Digital Regenesys Online courses can be a great starting point.

Digital Regenesys is a leading edtech platform that offers world-class online courses.

The Digital Regenesys Digital Marketing Course offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to enhance participants’ understanding and application of digital marketing skills.

Enrol in this online certification course and gain the practical skills to develop critical thinking and approach challenges from a user-centric perspective, giving you a competitive edge in design.

Read more – What to Study to Become a Graphic Designer? Know the Essential Subjects and Education Paths!

Skills Required to Become a Graphic Design

To become a successful graphic designer, you need a blend of creative, technical, and interpersonal skills. Here are some of the top skills required:

• Page Layout,
• Colour theory,
• Typeface design,
• Research Skills,
• Time Management,
• Creative Thinking,
• Multimedia Design,
• User Experience (UX),
• Website development,
• Communication Skills,
• Technical Proficiency,
• Computerised sketching.

Read more – What is a Graphic Designing Course? Essential Skills and Benefits

By developing these skills, you can build a strong foundation for a successful career in graphic design, enabling you to create compelling and effective visual communications across various media.