Ad Talent has released its 2019 salary survey for the communications industry. This annual survey is not intended to be prescriptive but is a report on what this specific recruiter has experienced over the course of the last year.
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 2018 to December 2018
- 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 the 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 to medium and heavyweight. It is experienced in a particular position and NOT total working experience
- This survey is not intended to be prescriptive but is a report on what we, Ad Talent, (not the entire industry) has experienced in the past 12 months
ADVERTISING AGENCIES |
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 – R88 000 | R88 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 | R55 000 – R59 000 | R59 000 – R65 000 | R65 000+ |
Cape Town | R45 000 – R49 000 | R49 000 – R57 000 | R57 000+ |
Group Account Director |
Johannesburg | R48 000 – R53 000 | R53 000 – R57 000 | R57 000+ |
Cape Town | R42 000 – R46 000 | R46 000 – R55 000 | R55 000+ |
Account Director |
Johannesburg | R35 000 – R40 000 | R40 000 – R48 000 | N/A |
Cape Town | R32 000 – R40 000 | R40 000 – R46 000 | N/A |
Account Manager |
Johannesburg | R23 000 – R26 000 | R26 000 – R35 000 | N/A |
Cape Town | R17 000 – R22 000 | R22 000 – R30 000 | N/A |
Account Executive |
Johannesburg | R14 000 – R17 000 | R17 000 – R20 000 | N/A |
Cape Town | R11 000 – R13 000 | R13 000 – R15 000 | N/A |
Project Manager |
Johannesburg | R27 500 – R38 000 | R38 000 – R45 000 | R45 000+ |
Cape Town | R24 000 – R32 000 | R32 000 – R39 000 | R39 000+ |
Operations |
Johannesburg | R48 000 – R58 000 | R58 000 – R79 000 | R79 000+ |
Cape Town | R45 000 – R57 000 | R57 000 – R66 000 | R66 000+ |
Production |
Johannesburg | R12 000 – R20 000 | R20 000 – R38 000 | R38 000+ |
Cape Town | R12 000 – R18 000 | R18 000 – R31 000 | R31 000+ |
Traffic |
Johannesburg | R12 000 – R18 000 | R18 000 – R35 000 | R35 000+ |
Cape Town | R13 000 – R17 000 | R17 000 – R30 000 | R30 000+ |
Strategic Planning Director |
Johannesburg | R61 000 – R70 000 | R70 000 – R89 000 | R89 000+ |
Cape Town | R55 000 – R68 000 | R68 000 – R85 000 | R85 000+ |
Strategic Planner |
Johannesburg | R17 000 – R29 000 | R29 000 – R47 000 | R47 000+ |
Cape Town | R15 000 – R24 000 | R24 000 – R40 000 | R40 000+ |
DIGITAL |
0-2 yrs (light) | 2 – 5 yrs (medium) | 5 – 9 yrs (heavyweight) |
Strategist |
Johannesburg | R18 000 – R32 000 | R32 000 – R49 000 | R49 000+ |
Cape Town | R18 000 – R30 000 | R30 000 – R50 000 | R50 000+ |
Project Manager |
Johannesburg | R25 000 – R38 000 | R38 000 – R44 000 | R44 000+ |
Cape Town | R23 000 – R32 000 | R32 000 – R39 000 | R39 000+ |
Social Media Manager |
Johannesburg | R19 000 – R26 000 | R26 000 – R40 000 | R40 000+ |
Cape Town | R16 500 – R20 000 | R20 000 – R29 000 | R29 000+ |
Social Media and Analytics Specialist |
Johannesburg | R22 000 – R31 000 | R31 000 – R48 000 | R48 000+ |
Cape Town | R18 500 – R28 000 | R28 000 – R42 000 | R42 000+ |
Community Manager |
Johannesburg | R14 000 – R20 000 | R20 000 – R35 000 | N/A |
Cape Town | R14 000 – R18 000 | R18 000 – R28 000 | N/A |
Content Manager |
Johannesburg | R14 000 – R20 000 | R20 000 – R30 000 | R30 000+ |
Cape Town | R13 000 – R17 000 | R17 000 – R28 000 | R28 000+ |
Account Executive |
Johannesburg | R15 000 – R18 000 | R18 000 – R22 000 | N/A |
Cape Town | R12 500 – R15 000 | R15 000 – R19 000 | N/A |
Account Manager |
Johannesburg | R25 500 – R29 000 | R29 000 – R38 000 | N/A |
Cape Town | R18 000 – R25 000 | R25 000 – R31 000 | N/A |
Account Director |
Johannesburg | R38 000 – R45 000 | R45 000 – R50 000 | N/A |
Cape Town | R34 000 – R42 000 | R42 000 – R48 000 | N/A |
Group Account Director |
Johannesburg | R48 000 – R54 000 | R54 000 – R58 000 | R58 000+ |
Cape Town | R44 000 – R52 000 | R52 000 – R56 000 | R56 000+ |
Client Service/Business Unit Director |
Johannesburg | R56 000 – R60 000 | R60 000 – R67 000 | R67 000+ |
Cape Town | R47 500 – R50 000 | R50 000 – R58 000 | R58 000+ |
SEO Specialist |
Johannesburg | R14 000 – R20 000 | R20 000 – R30 000 | R30 000+ |
Cape Town | R14 000 – R18 000 | R18 000 – R30 000 | R30 000+ |
PPC Specialist |
Johannesburg | R15 000 – R21 000 | R21 000 – R30 000 | R30 000+ |
Cape Town | R15 000 – R20 000 | R20 000 – R30 000 | R30 000+ |
Analyst |
Johannesburg | R17 000 – R22 000 | R22 000 – R30 000 | R30 000+ |
Cape Town | R18 000 – R20 000 | R20 000 – R28 000 | R28 000+ |
CREATIVE: TRADITIONAL |
0-2 yrs (light) | 2 – 5 yrs (medium) | 5 – 9 yrs (heavyweight) |
Chief Creative Officer |
Johannesburg | N/A | N/A | R130 000+ |
Cape Town | N/A | N/A | R120 000+ |
Group/Executive Creative Director |
Johannesburg | N/A | N/A | R110 000+ |
Cape Town | N/A | N/A | R92 000+ |
Creative Director |
Johannesburg | R48 000 – R65 000 | R65 000 – R75 000 | R75 000+ |
Cape Town | R40 000 – R48 000 | R48 000 – R62 000 | R62 000+ |
Head of Design |
Johannesburg | R37 000 – R50 000 | R50 000 – R55 000 | R55 000+ |
Cape Town | R30 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R45 000 | R45 000+ |
Designer |
Johannesburg | R10 000 – R17 000 | R17 000 – R32 000 | R32 000+ |
Cape Town | R10 000 – R15 000 | R15 000 – R27 000 | R27 000+ |
Creative Group Head |
Johannesburg | R35 000 – R45 000 | R45 000 – R53 000 | R53 000+ |
Cape Town | R27 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R45 000 | R45 000+ |
Art Director |
Johannesburg | R11 000 – R18 000 | R18 000 – R36 000 | R36 000 – R55 000 |
Cape Town | R10 000 – R18 000 | R18 000 – R31 000 | R31 000 – R47 000 |
Copywriter |
Johannesburg | R11 000 – R17 000 | R17 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R69 000 |
Cape Town | R10 000 – R17 000 | R17 000 – R28 000 | R28 000 – R55 000 |
Proofreader |
Johannesburg | R14 000 – R19 000 | R19 000 – R30 000 | R30 000 – R45 000 |
Cape Town | R10 000 – R15 000 | R15 000 – R25 000 | R25 000 – R40 000 |
Creative Strategist |
Johannesburg | N/A | R22 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R48 000 |
Cape Town | N/A | R20 000 – R33 000 | R33 000 – R42 000 |
Studio Manager |
Johannesburg | R30 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R40 000 | R40 000 – R50 000 |
Cape Town | R25 000 – R30 000 | R30 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R45 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 | R10 000 – R15 000 | R15 000 – R27 000 | R27 000 – R45 000 |
Cape Town | R9 000 – R13 000 | R13 000 – R25 000 | R25 000 – R40 000 |
Animator/Motion Graphics Designer |
Johannesburg | R12 000 – R18 000 | R18 000 – R32 000 | R32 000 – R55 000 |
Cape Town | R10 000 – R16 000 | R16 000 – R26 000 | R26 000 – R41 000 |
Video Editor |
Johannesburg | R10 000 – R15 000 | R15 000 – R30 000 | R30 000 – R48 000 |
Cape Town | R9 000 – R13 000 | R13 000 – R22 000 | R22 000 – R37 000 |
CREATIVE: DIGITAL |
0-2 yrs (light) | 2 – 5 yrs (medium) | 5 – 9 yrs (heavyweight) |
Creative Director |
Johannesburg | R45 000 – R55 000 | R55 000 – R75 000 | R75 000+ |
Cape Town | R40 000 – R50 000 | R50 000 – R65 000 | R65 000+ |
Copywriter |
Johannesburg | R12 000 – R18 000 | R18 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R50 000 |
Cape Town | R11 000 – R15 000 | R15 000 – R30 000 | R30 000 – R43 000 |
Art Director |
Johannesburg | R13 000 – R18 000 | R18 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R50 000 |
Cape Town | R13 000 – R16 000 | R16 000 – R32 000 | R32 000 – R42 000 |
Designer/Multimedia Designer |
Johannesburg | R13 000 – R18 000 | R18 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R48 000 |
Cape Town | R13 000 – R16 000 | R16 000 – R30 000 | R30 000 – R40 000 |
User Experience (UX) Lead |
Johannesburg | N/A | N/A | R70 000+ |
Cape Town | N/A | N/A | R60 000+ |
User Experience (UX) Designers |
Johannesburg | R16 000 – R25 000 | R25 000 – R42 000 | R42 000+ |
Cape Town | R13 000 – R20 000 | R20 000 – R37 000 | R37 000+ |
User Interface (UI) Designers |
Johannesburg | R16 000 – R25 000 | R25 000 – R38 000 | R38 000+ |
Cape Town | R13 000 – R20 000 | R20 000 – R35 000 | R35 000+ |
Front-end Developer |
Johannesburg | R12 500 – R18 000 | R18 000 – R36 000 | R36 000 – R53 000 |
Cape Town | R10 000 – R15 000 | R15 000 – R30 000 | R30 000 – R46 000 |
Back-end Developer |
Johannesburg | R18 000 – R22 000 | R22 000 – R45 000 | R45 000+ |
Cape Town | R17 000 – R22 000 | R22 000 – R40 000 | R40 000+ |
Full-stack Developer |
Johannesburg | R12 500 – R20 000 | R20 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R50 000 |
Cape Town | R12 000 – R17 000 | R17 000 – R25 000 | R25 000 – R45 000 |
MARKETING |
0-2 yrs (light) | 2 – 5 yrs (medium) | 5 – 9 yrs (heavyweight) |
Head of Digital and Insights Marketing |
Johannesburg | N/A | R55 000 – R66 000 | R66 000+ |
Cape Town | N/A | R48 000 – R58 000 | R58 000+ |
Brand Manager |
Johannesburg | R25 000 – R28 000 | R28 000 – R48 000 | R48 000+ |
Cape Town | R22 000 – R26 000 | R26 000 – R42 000 | R42 000+ |
Online Marketing Manager |
Johannesburg | N/A | R35 000 – R46 000 | R46 000+ |
Cape Town | N/A | R29 000 – R35 000 | R35 000+ |
Marketing Director/Group Marketing Head/Head of Brand |
Johannesburg | R79 000 – R86 000 | R86 000 – R145 000 | R145 000+ |
Cape Town | R64 000 – R77 000 | R77 000 – R135 000 | R135 000+ |
Marketing Manager/Group Brand Manager |
Johannesburg | R52 000 – R56 000 | R56 000 – R78 000 | R78 000+ |
Cape Town | R47 000 – R52 000 | R52 000 – R63 000 | R63 000+ |
Brand/Product Manager |
Johannesburg | R22 000 – R30 000 | R30 000 – R52 000 | R52 000+ |
Cape Town | R19 000 – R30 000 | R30 000 – R46 000 | R46 000+ |
Brand/Marketing Assistant |
Johannesburg | R13 000 – R20 000 | R20 000 – R35 000 | N/A |
Cape Town | R12 000 – R18 000 | R18 000 – R27 000 | N/A |
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 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R45 000 | R45 000 – R75 000 |
Communications Officer/Consultant |
Johannesburg | R20 000 – R30 000 | R30 000 – R40 000 | R40 000 – R45 000 |
Cape Town | R16 000 – R26 000 | R26 000 – R32 000 | R32 000 – R41 000 |
Events Manager |
Johannesburg | R28 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R40 000 | R40 000 – R70 000 |
Cape Town | R20 000 – R28 000 | R28 000 – R33 000 | R33 000 – R65 000 |
Events Coordinator |
Johannesburg | R18 000 – R22 000 | R22 000 – R30 000 | R30 000+ |
Cape Town | R15 000 – R20 000 | R20 000 – R30 000 | R30 000+ |
Internal Communications Manager |
Johannesburg | R27 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R48 000 | R48 000 – R78 000 |
Cape Town | R22 000 – R30 000 | R30 000 – R40 000 | R40 000 – R52 000 |
PR CONSULTANCIES |
0-2 yrs (light) | 2 – 5 yrs (medium) | 5 – 9 yrs (heavyweight) |
Managing Director |
Johannesburg | R65 000 – R75 000 | R75 000 – R80 000 | R80 000 – R130 000 |
Cape Town | R55 000 – R65 000 | R65 000 – R70 000 | R70 000 – R110 000 |
Account Director |
Johannesburg | R35 000 – R41 000 | R41 000 – R50 000 | R50 000 – R65 000 |
Cape Town | R31 000 – R36 000 | R36 000 – R41 000 | R41 000 – R50 000 |
Account Manager |
Johannesburg | R25 000 – R30 000 | R30 000 – R36 000 | R36 000+ |
Cape Town | R22 000 – R26 000 | R26 000 – R31 000 | R31 000+ |
Account Executive |
Johannesburg | R16 000 – R21 000 | R21 000 – R24 000 | N/A |
Cape Town | R14 000 – R19 000 | R19 000 – R21 000 | N/A |
Public Relations Assistant |
Johannesburg | R10 000 – R14 000 | R14 000 – R19 000 | N/A |
Cape Town | R8 500 – R13 000 | R13 000 – R18 000 | N/A |
MEDIA |
0-2 yrs (light) | 2 – 5 yrs (medium) | 5 – 9 yrs (heavyweight) |
Media Director |
Johannesburg | R38 000 – R44 000 | R44 000 – R54 000 | R54 000 – R80 000 |
Cape Town | R28 000 – R38 000 | R38 000 – R48 000 | R48 000 – R75 000 |
Media Planner |
Johannesburg | R27 000 – R30 000 | R30 000 – R43 000 | R43 000 – R53 000 |
Cape Town | R20 000 – R28 000 | R28 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R40 000 |
Media Buyer |
Johannesburg | R16 000 – R23 000 | R23 000 – R33 000 | R33 000 – R43 000 |
Cape Town | R12 000 – R15 000 | R15 000 – R23 000 | R23 000 – R28 000 |
Media Strategist |
Johannesburg | R30 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R50 000 | R50 000 – R80 000 |
Cape Town | R22 000 – R27 000 | R27 000 – R40 000 | R40 000 – R70 000 |
Media Sales Executive |
Johannesburg | R25 000 – R28 000 | R28 000 – R38 000 | R38 000+ |
Cape Town | R20 000 – R25 000 | R25 000 – R35 000 | R35 000+ |
Media Sales Director |
Johannesburg | R35 000 – R40 000 | R40 000 – R48 000 | R48 000 – R90 000 |
Cape Town | R30 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R40 000 | R40 000 – R60 000 |
Media Sales Digital |
Johannesburg | R27 000 – R35 000 | R35 000 – R45 000 | R45 000+ |
Cape Town | R20 000 – R27 000 | R27 000 – R35 000 | R35 000+ |
Digital Media Strategist |
Johannesburg | R38 000 – R42 000 | R42 000 – R57 000 | R57 000+ |
Cape Town | R27 000 – R32 000 | R32 000 – R42 000 | R42 000+ |
Campaign Manager |
Johannesburg | R18 000 – R25 000 | R25 000 – R35 000 | R35 000+ |
Cape Town | R15 000 – R22 000 | R22 000 – R30 000 | R30 000+ |
Biddable Specialist |
Johannesburg | R20 000 – R25 000 | R25 000 – R30 000 | R30 000+ |
Cape Town | R15 000 – R22 000 | R22 000 – R30 000 | R30 000+ |