Ad Talent Africa
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Salary Survey

Know Your Worth.

Specialist salary guide for marketing, creative, digital and communications professionals.

Browse Our Salary Survey

Introduction

Welcome to the Ad Talent Salary Survey 2026. For over 50 years, Ad Talent has partnered with South Africa's leading agencies, brands, media owners and technology businesses to recruit exceptional talent. Our survey is intended to provide realistic market guidance rather than fixed salary benchmarks.

This Survey Has Been Compiled Using

Actual Placements

Actual placements made by Ad Talent.

Candidate Interviews

Salary information gathered from candidates interviewed between January 2025 and December 2025.

Registered Professionals

Salary information supplied by professionals registered with Ad Talent.

CTC Packages

Current Cost to Company (CTC)
remuneration packages.

Market Averages

Average market salaries across South Africa.

How to Use This Guide

Experience levels help you place each role in context.

Junior
0–2 years experience within the role
Mid-Level
2–5 years experience
Senior
5–9 years experience
Executive
10+ years experience

Salary Notes

Salary packages vary according to:

Company sizeIndustry sectorLocationIndividual experienceScarce skillsTechnical expertisePerformance incentivesCommission structures

Figures shown represent Monthly Cost to Company (CTC).

Monthly CTC
Salary Ranges

Select an industry to view typical monthly cost to company ranges.

0 roles
DesignationTypical ExperienceMonthly CTC Range

Advertising

DesignationTypical ExperienceMonthly CTC Range
CEO15+ yearsR140 000 – R350 000+
Managing Director15+ yearsR130 000 – R200 000+
Business Unit Director10+ yearsR90 000 – R150 000+
Client Service Director8–12 yearsR90 000 – R130 000
Group Account Director8–12 yearsR70 000 – R110 000
Account Director6–10 yearsR65 000 – R85 000
Senior Account Manager5–8 yearsR40 000 – R65 000
Account Manager3–5 yearsR38 000 – R45 000
Account Executive0–2 yearsR18 000 – R28 000
Project Manager3–6 yearsR35 000 – R50 000
Traffic Manager3–8 yearsR30 000 – R60 000
Strategic Planning Director10+ yearsR110 000 – R150 000+
Strategic Planner3–6 yearsR40 000 – R65 000

Creative

DesignationTypical ExperienceMonthly CTC Range
Chief Creative Officer15+ yearsR130 000 – R180 000+
Executive Creative Director12+ yearsR120 000 – R160 000+
Creative Director10+ yearsR90 000 – R150 000+
Head of Design10+ yearsR65 000 – R120 000+
Creative Group Head7–10 yearsR55 000 – R80 000
Senior Designer5–8 yearsR45 000 – R65 000
Graphic Designer0–5 yearsR15 000 – R45 000
Art Director3–7 yearsR30 000 – R55 000
Senior Copywriter5+ yearsR30 000 – R60 000
Copywriter1–4 yearsR20 000 – R30 000
Creative / Content Strategist5–8 yearsR45 000 – R70 000
Motion Designer3–8 yearsR35 000 – R55 000
UX Designer3–8 yearsR40 000 – R55 000
UI Designer3–8 yearsR30 000 – R50 000
AI Creative Specialist3–7 yearsR45 000 – R60 000
Studio Manager5–10 yearsR35 000 – R60 000

Digital

DesignationTypical ExperienceMonthly CTC Range
Head of Digital10+ yearsR90 000 – R160 000+
Digital Marketing Manager5–8 yearsR50 000 – R80 000
Performance Marketing Manager5–10 yearsR60 000 – R100 000
CRM Manager5–10 yearsR55 000 – R85 000
E-commerce Manager5–10 yearsR65 000 – R110 000
AI & Automation Specialist2–5 yearsR45 000 – R90 000
AI Marketing Specialist2–5 yearsR45 000 – R80 000
Digital Strategist5–10 yearsR65 000 – R90 000
SEO Specialist2–6 yearsR35 000 – R55 000
Performance Marketing Specialist3–6 yearsR35 000 – R65 000
CRM Specialist3–6 yearsR35 000 – R50 000
Digital Marketing Specialist2–5 yearsR30 000 – R45 000
Digital Marketing Coordinator0–2 yearsR20 000 – R38 000

Marketing

DesignationTypical ExperienceMonthly CTC Range
Chief Marketing Officer15+ yearsR130 000 – R220 000+
Marketing Director12+ yearsR95 000 – R180 000+
Head of Marketing10+ yearsR90 000 – R160 000+
Senior Marketing Manager7–10 yearsR70 000 – R110 000
Marketing Manager4–7 yearsR55 000 – R80 000
Marketing Manager + AI experience5–10 yearsR70 000 – R120 000
Senior Brand Manager6–10 yearsR65 000 – R100 000
Brand Manager3–6 yearsR40 000 – R70 000
Trade Marketing Manager5–10 yearsR58 000 – R90 000
Category Manager5–10 yearsR55 000 – R95 000
Marketing Specialist2–5 yearsR30 000 – R45 000
Marketing Coordinator0–2 yearsR18 000 – R30 000
Marketing Assistant0–1 yearsR15 000 – R22 000

PR & Communications

DesignationTypical ExperienceMonthly CTC Range
Head of Communications10+ yearsR80 000 – R160 000+
PR Account Director8–12 yearsR70 000 – R90 000
Senior Communications Manager8–12 yearsR70 000 – R100 000
Communications Manager5–8 yearsR45 000 – R70 000
Internal Communications Manager5–10 yearsR45 000 – R90 000
Senior PR Account Manager4–6 yearsR40 000 – R50 000
PR Account Manager3–5 yearsR30 000 – R42 000
PR Account Executive0–2 yearsR18 000 – R28 000

Media

DesignationTypical ExperienceMonthly CTC Range
Sales Director *10+ yearsR80 000 – R100 000*
Media Director10+ yearsR90 000 – R160 000+
Media Strategist4–7 yearsR40 000 – R70 000
Media Planner1–3 yearsR20 000 – R35 000
Programmatic Manager5–8 yearsR55 000 – R90 000
Programmatic Specialist2–5 yearsR30 000 – R60 000
Media Sales Manager *6–10 yearsR45 000 – R80 000*
Media Sales Executive *1–4 yearsR25 000 – R45 000*

* Base package plus commission or incentive structures; total earnings vary with performance.

Social & Content

DesignationTypical ExperienceMonthly CTC Range
Head of Social Media10+ yearsR70 000 – R110 000+
Senior Social Media Manager5–8 yearsR40 000 – R70 000
Social Media Manager3–5 yearsR30 000 – R55 000
Community Manager2–5 yearsR25 000 – R40 000
Content Strategist5–8 yearsR45 000 – R65 000
AI Content Specialist2–5 yearsR30 000 – R60 000
Content Creator / Producer1–5 yearsR20 000 – R45 000
Video Content Creator2–6 yearsR25 000 – R50 000
Influencer Marketing Manager4–8 yearsR40 000 – R70 000
Social Media Coordinator0–2 yearsR18 000 – R28 000

Project Management & Events

DesignationTypical ExperienceMonthly CTC Range
Head of Events10+ yearsR75 000 – R120 000+
Senior Events Manager8–12 yearsR60 000 – R90 000
Events Manager5–8 yearsR45 000 – R80 000
Senior Project Manager6–10 yearsR50 000 – R90 000
Project Manager3–6 yearsR35 000 – R50 000
Project Coordinator0–2 yearsR18 000 – R30 000
Traffic Manager3–8 yearsR30 000 – R60 000

Insights & Analytics

DesignationTypical ExperienceMonthly CTC Range
Head of Insights10+ yearsR90 000 – R160 000+
Insights Manager5–8 yearsR55 000 – R90 000
BI Analyst3–6 yearsR40 000 – R70 000
Data Analyst2–5 yearsR30 000 – R50 000
Marketing Analyst1–3 yearsR25 000 – R35 000

Sales

DesignationTypical ExperienceMonthly CTC Range
Chief Commercial Officer / Commercial Director15+ yearsR150 000 – R300 000+
Sales Director / Head of Sales12–15+ yearsR100 000 – R180 000+
Commercial / Sales Manager8–12 yearsR70 000 – R120 000+
Business Development Director10+ yearsR80 000 – R140 000+
Senior Sales Manager7–10 yearsR60 000 – R100 000+
Business Development Manager5–8 yearsR45 000 – R75 000
Key Account Manager4–8 yearsR40 000 – R70 000
Senior Sales Executive3–6 yearsR30 000 – R55 000
Sales Executive / Account Executive1–4 yearsR22 000 – R40 000
Junior Sales Executive / BDM0–2 yearsR18 000 – R30 000