Ad Talent has released its latest salary survey following a year which has seen remote working, shifting work hours and the bid for scarce skills greatly impact remuneration structures.
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+ |
Original article: https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/863/235326.html
Source: © jrwasserman – https://za.fotolia.com/Fotolia.com