5 jobs that no longer pay like they used to in South Africa

In South Africa’s shifting economic landscape, not all careers have kept pace with rising costs and changing market demands.

While some professions continue to thrive, others have seen salaries decline significantly over the past few years due to automation, oversupply of skills, and technological disruption.

Here are five jobs that no longer pay like they used to — and what’s behind the drop:

1. Bank branch managers

Once a prestigious and well-paying role in financial services, branch managers have been impacted heavily by digital banking and remote services. As more customers move online, the need for in-person branch operations has diminished. Salaries in this role have dropped by up to 25% since 2018, and many positions have been phased out entirely.

2. Financial controllers

As accounting systems become more automated and integrated, the need for traditional financial controllers has declined. Combined with companies tightening their belts post-COVID, many professionals in this space have seen their earnings fall by nearly 25% over the past few years.

3. Personal assistants

Digital tools like scheduling software, AI-based communication systems, and virtual assistants have replaced many traditional PA responsibilities. Demand for personal assistants has dropped, and average salaries have decreased by up to 12% since 2018 — a sign that this once-vital role is being reimagined.

4. Engineers (Structural & Electrical)

While engineering remains a core skill, salaries in specific subfields are declining due to a slowdown in infrastructure projects and oversupply.

• Structural engineers have seen earnings decline by 8–14%.

• Electrical engineers, particularly in junior-to-mid-level roles, have faced a 24% reduction in advertised salaries over the last year.

5. IT project managers & software developers

Despite tech’s growing influence, some roles in the sector are oversaturated.

• IT Project Managers face tightening budgets and less demand for large in-house teams. Salaries have fallen between 10% and 30%.

• Software Developers, especially in legacy coding languages or outdated stacks, have seen a 6–16% pay drop depending on specialization.

The road ahead

If you’re in one of these industries, don’t panic — pivot. Here’s how:

• Upskill in emerging fields like data science, cybersecurity, or AI.

• Explore remote or freelance work for global companies.

• Learn new tools (like Python, cloud services, or project management platforms).

• Look into cross-functional roles where your experience is still highly valuable.

The workplace is evolving. Staying adaptable and investing in your own growth is the best way to ensure your skills stay valuable — and well-paid.