Career Explorer

Starting salary

R18 000 – R35 000

Demand

Growing fast

You build the apps, websites and systems people use every day.

Subjects:

Mathematics, Information Technology, Computer Applications Technology

Starting salary

R20 000 – R38 000

Demand

Growing fast

You protect people, banks and companies from hackers and online crime.

Subjects:

Mathematics, Information Technology, Physical Sciences

Starting salary

R22 000 – R40 000

Demand

Growing fast

You find patterns in numbers and help people make better decisions.

Subjects:

Mathematics, Information Technology, Physical Sciences

Starting salary

R22 000 – R38 000

Demand

Growing fast

You keep the internet running, the servers behind apps and websites.

Subjects:

Mathematics, Information Technology

Starting salary

R15 000 – R30 000

Demand

Emerging

You design and build games people can't put down.

Subjects:

Mathematics, Information Technology, Visual Arts

Starting salary

R15 000 – R30 000

Demand

Growing fast

You make apps and websites easy, beautiful and enjoyable to use.

Subjects:

Visual Arts, Design, English

Starting salary

R25 000 – R45 000

Demand

Growing fast

You decide what a digital product should do next, and lead the team building it.

Subjects:

Mathematics, English, Business Studies

Starting salary

R45 000 – R60 000

Demand

Always needed

You diagnose and treat illness, and walk with patients through tough moments.

Subjects:

Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences

Starting salary

R16 000 – R28 000

Demand

Always needed

You are the heart of patient care, monitoring, treating and comforting people.

Subjects:

Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Mathematics or Maths Literacy

Starting salary

R28 000 – R40 000

Demand

Always needed

You are the medicine expert who keeps people safe from wrong doses and reactions.

Subjects:

Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences

Starting salary

R25 000 – R38 000

Demand

Steady demand

You help people move again after injury, illness or surgery.

Subjects:

Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Mathematics

Starting salary

R25 000 – R36 000

Demand

Steady demand

You help people do everyday activities again, dressing, working, learning, playing.

Subjects:

Life Sciences, Mathematics, English

Starting salary

R24 000 – R35 000

Demand

Steady demand

You use X-rays, CT and MRI machines to see inside the body.

Subjects:

Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences

Starting salary

R22 000 – R34 000

Demand

Steady demand

You run the lab tests that tell doctors what is really wrong.

Subjects:

Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences

Starting salary

R24 000 – R35 000

Demand

Steady demand

You help people speak, swallow and communicate.

Subjects:

Life Sciences, English, Languages

Starting salary

R24 000 – R35 000

Demand

Steady demand

You test hearing and help people hear the world again.

Subjects:

Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences

Starting salary

R14 000 – R24 000

Demand

Always needed

You are first on the scene when every second counts.

Subjects:

Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Mathematics or Maths Literacy

Starting salary

R25 000 – R40 000

Demand

Growing fast

You help people understand their minds, emotions and behaviour.

Subjects:

Life Sciences, English, Mathematics or Maths Literacy

Starting salary

R25 000 – R40 000

Demand

Steady demand

You design roads, bridges, dams and water systems that communities depend on.

Subjects:

Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Engineering Graphics & Design

Starting salary

R25 000 – R40 000

Demand

Steady demand

You design machines, engines and anything with moving parts.

Subjects:

Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Engineering Graphics & Design

Starting salary

R25 000 – R42 000

Demand

Growing fast

You work with power, electronics and the systems that keep the lights on.

Subjects:

Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Engineering Graphics & Design

Starting salary

R25 000 – R40 000

Demand

Steady demand

You make systems and businesses work faster, cheaper and better.

Subjects:

Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Business Studies

Starting salary

R18 000 – R32 000

Demand

Steady demand

You design buildings that are beautiful, safe and useful.

Subjects:

Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Visual Arts

Starting salary

R20 000 – R35 000

Demand

Steady demand

You are the money expert of construction, you cost and control building projects.

Subjects:

Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Accounting

Starting salary

R20 000 – R35 000

Demand

Steady demand

You run the building site, people, machines, safety and deadlines.

Subjects:

Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Business Studies

Starting salary

R20 000 – R32 000

Demand

Emerging

You plan how towns and cities grow, housing, transport, parks and services.

Subjects:

Geography, Mathematics, English

Starting salary

R12 000 – R30 000 (articles)

Demand

Steady demand

You advise people on their rights and argue their case.

Subjects:

English, History, Mathematics or Maths Literacy

Starting salary

R11 000 – R18 000

Demand

Always needed

You protect communities, investigate crime and keep people safe.

Subjects:

English, Life Orientation, Mathematics or Maths Literacy

Starting salary

R18 000 – R30 000 (articles)

Demand

Always needed

You track, audit and explain the money of businesses.

Subjects:

Mathematics, Accounting, English

Starting salary

R30 000 – R50 000

Demand

Growing fast

You use advanced maths to price risk for insurance, pensions and banks.

Subjects:

Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Accounting

Starting salary

R15 000 – R30 000 + commission

Demand

Steady demand

You help people plan their money, savings, insurance and retirement.

Subjects:

Mathematics or Maths Literacy, Accounting, Business Studies

Starting salary

R22 000 – R38 000

Demand

Steady demand

You study how money, jobs and prices move through a country.

Subjects:

Mathematics, Economics, Accounting

Starting salary

Varies, often little at first

Demand

Growing fast

You spot a problem, build a business around solving it, and create jobs.

Subjects:

Business Studies, Accounting, Mathematics

Starting salary

R15 000 – R28 000

Demand

Growing fast

You make people notice, understand and love a brand.

Subjects:

Business Studies, English, Mathematics or Maths Literacy

Starting salary

R14 000 – R25 000

Demand

Steady demand

You hire, develop and look after the people inside an organisation.

Subjects:

Business Studies, English, Life Orientation

Starting salary

R18 000 – R26 000

Demand

Always needed

You shape how the next generation thinks, learns and believes in itself.

Subjects:

Your teaching subjects, English, Life Orientation

Starting salary

R12 000 – R22 000

Demand

Steady demand

You find the truth and tell the story so the public knows.

Subjects:

English, History, Languages

Starting salary

Often R0 at first

Demand

Emerging

You build an audience with videos, photos, writing or podcasts.

Subjects:

English, Visual Arts, Design

Starting salary

R10 000 – R22 000

Demand

Emerging

You make films and shows happen, money, people, schedule and vision.

Subjects:

Dramatic Arts, English, Business Studies

Starting salary

R12 000 – R25 000

Demand

Emerging

You bring drawings and characters to life, frame by frame.

Subjects:

Visual Arts, Design, Information Technology

Starting salary

R12 000 – R24 000

Demand

Steady demand

You design logos, posters, packaging and brands people remember.

Subjects:

Visual Arts, Design, English

Starting salary

R10 000 – R20 000

Demand

Emerging

You design clothing that tells a story about who people are.

Subjects:

Visual Arts, Design, Consumer Studies

Starting salary

R12 000 – R22 000

Demand

Steady demand

You design the inside of homes, shops and offices so they work beautifully.

Subjects:

Visual Arts, Design, Mathematics or Maths Literacy

Starting salary

R15 000 – R28 000

Demand

Growing fast

You use science to make athletes faster, stronger and injury-free.

Subjects:

Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Mathematics

Starting salary

R18 000 – R28 000

Demand

Growing fast

You use exercise as medicine to rehabilitate and prevent injury.

Subjects:

Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Mathematics

Starting salary

R5 000 – R25 000

Demand

Emerging

You compete at the highest level in your sport.

Subjects:

Life Orientation, Life Sciences, Any strong academic subjects as a backup

Starting salary

R8 000 – R20 000

Demand

Steady demand

You develop athletes and build teams that win together.

Subjects:

Life Orientation, Life Sciences, English

Starting salary

R14 000 – R25 000

Demand

Emerging

You run the business side of sport, clubs, events, sponsors and athletes.

Subjects:

Business Studies, Mathematics or Maths Literacy, English

Starting salary

R18 000 – R30 000

Demand

Growing fast

You study and protect ecosystems, water, air and biodiversity.

Subjects:

Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Geography

Starting salary

R18 000 – R30 000

Demand

Steady demand

You improve how food is grown so the country can eat.

Subjects:

Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Agricultural Sciences

Starting salary

R30 000 – R45 000

Demand

Steady demand

You treat and protect the health of animals, from pets to livestock.

Subjects:

Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences

Starting salary

R18 000 – R28 000

Demand

Emerging

You study ocean life and help protect South Africa's coastline.

Subjects:

Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Mathematics

Starting salary

R18 000 – R32 000

Demand

Steady demand

You work with molecules, medicines, fuels, food, cosmetics and materials.

Subjects:

Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences

Starting salary

R18 000 – R30 000

Demand

Steady demand

You develop and test the food products on supermarket shelves.

Subjects:

Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences

Starting salary

R22 000 – R33 000

Demand

Growing fast

You use food and nutrition to keep people healthy and treat illness.

Subjects:

Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences

Starting salary

R25 000 – R40 000

Demand

Steady demand

You read the earth, minerals, water, mining and natural hazards.

Subjects:

Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Geography

Starting salary

R30 000 – R48 000

Demand

Steady demand

You plan and run safe, efficient mining operations.

Subjects:

Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Engineering Graphics & Design

Starting salary

R8 000 – R16 000 (apprentice)

Demand

Always needed

You install and repair the electrical systems in homes, factories and solar setups.

Subjects:

Mathematics or Maths Literacy, Physical Sciences, Electrical Technology

Starting salary

R8 000 – R15 000 (apprentice)

Demand

Always needed

You install and fix water, drainage, geysers and gas systems.

Subjects:

Mathematics or Maths Literacy, Physical Sciences, Civil Technology

Starting salary

R8 000 – R15 000

Demand

Steady demand

You join metal to build structures, pipelines, machines and ships.

Subjects:

Mathematics or Maths Literacy, Engineering Graphics & Design, Mechanical Technology

Starting salary

R8 000 – R16 000

Demand

Steady demand

You diagnose and repair modern vehicles, increasingly computers on wheels.

Subjects:

Mathematics or Maths Literacy, Physical Sciences, Mechanical Technology

Starting salary

R10 000 – R18 000

Demand

Growing fast

You install and maintain solar, inverter and battery systems.

Subjects:

Mathematics or Maths Literacy, Physical Sciences, Electrical Technology

Starting salary

R15 000 – R35 000

Demand

Growing fast

You fly aircraft safely, whether passengers, cargo or emergency services.

Subjects:

Mathematics, Physical Sciences, English

Starting salary

R20 000 – R35 000

Demand

Steady demand

You guide aircraft safely through the sky and on the ground.

Subjects:

Mathematics, Physical Sciences, English

Starting salary

R15 000 – R28 000

Demand

Growing fast

You get goods from factory to shelf, on time and at the right cost.

Subjects:

Mathematics, Business Studies, Economics

Starting salary

R6 000 – R14 000

Demand

Steady demand

You create food people remember, in restaurants, hotels or your own kitchen.

Subjects:

Consumer Studies, Mathematics or Maths Literacy, Business Studies

Starting salary

R12 000 – R22 000

Demand

Steady demand

You run the place guests remember for the rest of their lives.

Subjects:

Tourism, Business Studies, English

Starting salary

R8 000 – R15 000

Demand

Steady demand

You show visitors South Africa's history, wildlife and culture.

Subjects:

Tourism, History, Geography

Starting salary

R10 000 – R20 000

Demand

Steady demand

You plan concerts, weddings, conferences and festivals down to the last detail.

Subjects:

Business Studies, Tourism, English

Starting salary

R16 000 – R25 000

Demand

Always needed

You protect vulnerable people and help families through crisis.

Subjects:

Life Sciences, English, Life Orientation

Starting salary

R12 000 – R22 000

Demand

Steady demand

You build projects that lift whole communities, skills, jobs, food, housing.

Subjects:

English, Business Studies, Geography

Starting salary

Commission-based, often low at first

Demand

Steady demand

You help people buy, sell and rent property, and earn on results.

Subjects:

Business Studies, Mathematics or Maths Literacy, English

Starting salary

R11 000 – R18 000

Demand

Always needed

You fight fires, rescue people and respond to disasters.

Subjects:

Mathematics or Maths Literacy, Physical Sciences, Life Orientation