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What is the average project manager salary in South Africa?
Wondering what kind of salary you might earn if you take the time to invest in project management courses and training, across all levels of experience?
In South Africa, project professionals earn a median annual salary of R940,889.1 However, this varies widely when you consider individual aspects such as years of experience, certifications, exact position, and even team or project size.
Note: All currencies have been converted from USD to ZAR using the exchange rate as of October 9, 2025 (1 USD to 17.21 ZAR).
How does experience affect project manager salary?
Like with most careers, time in the project management profession often increases your earning potential. There is a 169% increase in average salary between professionals with the lowest level of experience and the highest in South Africa.
In comparison, professionals with more than 20 years of experience in the United States earn 88% more than those with fewer than three years of experience. And in the United Kingdom, there is a 119% increase in salary between the two groups.
Median annual salary by years of experience in project management, South Africa2
| Years of experience in project management | Median annual salary |
| Less than 3 years | R515,279 |
| 3 to 5 years | R611,574 |
| 5 to 10 years | R819,982 |
| 10 to 15 years | R937,120 |
| 15 to 20 years | R1,039,508 |
| More than 20 years | R1,387,823 |
How does PMP certification affect project manager salary?
The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification validates candidates’ skills in managing the people, processes, and business priorities of professional projects. It is intended for people with about 3–5 years of professional project management experience. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements and pass a 180 question exam.3
The PMP certification is administered by the Project Management Institute.
Non-PMP certification holders in South Africa earn an average annual salary of R620,989. Meanwhile, PMP-certified professionals earn R1,034,981 on average annually.4
This 67% increase among certification holders in South Africa is the largest regional difference in PMI’s data. For example, in the United States, PMP holders earn 44% more on average than non-PMP holders. And in the United Kingdom, there is a 25% difference between the two groups.
It’s important to note that earning a PMP certification does not guarantee project professionals will earn more money. PMI’s data indicates that PMP tenure also plays a role, which correlates directly with overall experience.
One-third of South African respondents in the PMI survey agreed that the PMP certification contributed significantly to their salary growth.5
How much money do specific project professional careers earn?
Within the project management field, there are a variety of careers and job titles. These positions come with different responsibilities and seniority, and different salary expectations, too.
For example, professionals with the title ‘Project Manager I’ earned the least on average when compared to other job titles in South Africa. Portfolio Managers earn the most, on average.
Among South African respondents, the average salary doubled from Project Manager I to Project Manager III — the largest regional increase in PMI’s survey.
Median Annual Salary by Position, South Africa6
| Position | Median Annual Salary |
| Project management consultant | R869,377 |
| Project management specialist | R853,061 |
| Project manager I | R564,537 |
| Project manager II | R823,286 |
| Project manager III | R940,889 |
| Program manager | R1,129,074 |
| Portfolio manager | R1,279,618 |
| Director of project management/PMO | R1,223,149 |
- 1 (2023). ‘Earning power: Project management salary survey thirteenth edition.’ Retrieved from the Project Management Institute.
- 2 (2023). ‘Earning power: Project management salary survey thirteenth edition.’ Retrieved from the Project Management Institute.
- 3 (Nd). ‘Project management professional (PMP).’ Retrieved from the Project Management Institute. Accessed on October 9, 2025.
- 4 (2023). ‘Earning power: Project management salary survey thirteenth edition.’ Retrieved from the Project Management Institute.
- 5 (2023). ‘Earning power: Project management salary survey thirteenth edition.’ Retrieved from the Project Management Institute.
- 6 (2023). ‘Earning power: Project management salary survey thirteenth edition.’ Retrieved from the Project Management Institute.