What is the average household income in South Africa?

Statistics South Africa has published the latest Quarterly Employment Survey (QES) for the second quarter of 2022, showing what workers are getting paid across the various sectors in the country. These figures include the payment of bonuses and overtime.

The formal non-agricultural sector saw a quarter-on-quarter increase of 3.7% in average monthly earnings paid to employees from R23,697 in February 2022 to R24,578 in May 2022. 

The mining and quarrying industry saw a quarter-on-quarter increase of 2.3% in average monthly earnings paid to employees from R29,693 in February 2022 to R30,384 in May 2022. 

There was a quarter-on-quarter increase of 2.4% in average monthly earnings paid to employees in the manufacturing industry, from R20,890 in February 2022 to R21,401 in May 2022. Year-on-year average monthly earnings increased by 2.4%.

In the electricity, gas and water supply industry, average monthly earnings paid to employees rose from R47,226 in February 2022 to R47,711 in May 2022. This represents a quarter-on-quarter increase of 1% and a 0.7% decrease in year-on-year average monthly earnings.

Quarter-on-quarter increases in the construction industry totalled 9.7%. The average monthly earnings paid to employees rose from R19,097 in February 2022 to R20,947 in May 2022. 

The wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles, and personal and household goods; hotels and restaurants sector saw a quarter-on-quarter increase of 2.5% in average monthly earnings paid to employees – from R15,864 in February 2022 to R16,262 in May 2022. 

In the transport, storage and communication industry, average monthly earnings paid to employees rose from R26,717 in February 2022 to R27,616 in May 2022 representing a quarter-on-quarter increase of 3.4%.

There was a quarter-on-quarter increase of 5.7% in average monthly earnings paid to employees in the community, social and personal services sector, from R28,084 in February 2022 to R29,671 in May 2022. 

The financial intermediation, insurance, real estate and business services industry saw a quarter-on-quarter increase of 2.7% in average monthly earnings paid to employees from R25,988 in February 2022 to R26,701 in May 2022.