{
    "url": "https://www.spotsalary.com/salary/environmental-scientist/south-africa-za",
    "canonical": "https://www.spotsalary.com/salary/environmental-scientist/south-africa-za",
    "headline": "Environmental Scientist Salary in South Africa",
    "description": "Median Environmental Scientist salary in South Africa is R679.3K per year. Compare P10–P90 salary bands by experience, take-home pay and a five-year outlook.",
    "occupation": {
        "name": "Environmental Scientist",
        "slug": "environmental-scientist",
        "family": null,
        "soc_code": null,
        "aliases": [],
        "description": null
    },
    "location": {
        "name": "South Africa",
        "slug": "south-africa-za",
        "type": "country",
        "iso2": "ZA",
        "currency": "ZAR"
    },
    "period": 2026,
    "confidence": 85,
    "status": "published",
    "method": "research",
    "updated_at": "2026-10-29T19:41:27+00:00",
    "salary_bands": [
        {
            "level": "entry",
            "years_experience": [
                0,
                2
            ],
            "p10": 309082.2,
            "p25": 375314.1,
            "p50": 441546,
            "p75": 507777.9,
            "p90": 596087.1,
            "base_share": 95,
            "bonus_share": 5,
            "equity_share": 0
        },
        {
            "level": "mid",
            "years_experience": [
                3,
                5
            ],
            "p10": 237755.54,
            "p25": 460777.23,
            "p50": 679301.54,
            "p75": 1092016.5,
            "p90": 1313482.72,
            "base_share": 88,
            "bonus_share": 8,
            "equity_share": 4
        },
        {
            "level": "senior",
            "years_experience": [
                6,
                9
            ],
            "p10": 498620.5,
            "p25": 605467.75,
            "p50": 712315,
            "p75": 819162.25,
            "p90": 961625.25,
            "base_share": 80,
            "bonus_share": 10,
            "equity_share": 10
        },
        {
            "level": "executive",
            "years_experience": [
                10,
                15
            ],
            "p10": 738691.83,
            "p25": 896982.93,
            "p50": 1055274.04,
            "p75": 1213565.14,
            "p90": 1424619.95,
            "base_share": 65,
            "bonus_share": 15,
            "equity_share": 20
        }
    ],
    "take_home": {
        "currency": "ZAR",
        "tax_rate": 26.391159719732126,
        "top_rate": null,
        "method": "progressive",
        "label": "progressive brackets",
        "standard_deduction": 0,
        "rebate": 0,
        "source": "PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries",
        "source_url": "https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/south-africa/individual/taxes-on-personal-income",
        "retrieved_at": "2026-10-23T00:00:00.000000Z",
        "verified": true,
        "notes": "excludes tax rebates; slightly overestimates tax",
        "bands": [
            {
                "level": "entry",
                "gross": 441546,
                "taxable": 441546,
                "tax": 98116.26,
                "effective_rate": 22.221073229063336,
                "net_annual": 343429.74,
                "net_monthly": 28619.145,
                "method": "progressive",
                "top_rate": null,
                "standard_deduction": 0,
                "rebate": 0,
                "source": "PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries",
                "source_url": "https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/south-africa/individual/taxes-on-personal-income",
                "retrieved_at": "2026-10-23T00:00:00.000000Z",
                "verified": true,
                "notes": "excludes tax rebates; slightly overestimates tax"
            },
            {
                "level": "mid",
                "gross": 679301.54,
                "taxable": 679301.54,
                "tax": 179275.55440000002,
                "effective_rate": 26.391159719732126,
                "net_annual": 500025.9856,
                "net_monthly": 41668.83213333334,
                "method": "progressive",
                "top_rate": null,
                "standard_deduction": 0,
                "rebate": 0,
                "source": "PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries",
                "source_url": "https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/south-africa/individual/taxes-on-personal-income",
                "retrieved_at": "2026-10-23T00:00:00.000000Z",
                "verified": true,
                "notes": "excludes tax rebates; slightly overestimates tax"
            },
            {
                "level": "senior",
                "gross": 712315,
                "taxable": 712315,
                "tax": 191655.85,
                "effective_rate": 26.906052799674303,
                "net_annual": 520659.15,
                "net_monthly": 43388.262500000004,
                "method": "progressive",
                "top_rate": null,
                "standard_deduction": 0,
                "rebate": 0,
                "source": "PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries",
                "source_url": "https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/south-africa/individual/taxes-on-personal-income",
                "retrieved_at": "2026-10-23T00:00:00.000000Z",
                "verified": true,
                "notes": "excludes tax rebates; slightly overestimates tax"
            },
            {
                "level": "executive",
                "gross": 1055274.04,
                "taxable": 1055274.04,
                "tax": 328775.3564,
                "effective_rate": 31.155448152595504,
                "net_annual": 726498.6836000001,
                "net_monthly": 60541.55696666668,
                "method": "progressive",
                "top_rate": null,
                "standard_deduction": 0,
                "rebate": 0,
                "source": "PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries",
                "source_url": "https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/south-africa/individual/taxes-on-personal-income",
                "retrieved_at": "2026-10-23T00:00:00.000000Z",
                "verified": true,
                "notes": "excludes tax rebates; slightly overestimates tax"
            }
        ]
    },
    "outlook": {
        "direction": "stable",
        "inflation_pct": 4.8,
        "real_growth_pct": 0.4,
        "forecasts": [
            {
                "year": 2027,
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                "confidence": 79,
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                        "name": "Inflation (CPI)",
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                        "direction": "up"
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                    {
                        "name": "Wage growth",
                        "note": "5.2% nominal wage trend",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
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                    {
                        "name": "Role demand trend",
                        "note": "0.0% annual role demand",
                        "weight": "high",
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                        "name": "Hiring demand",
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                        "direction": "steady"
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                    {
                        "name": "Automation exposure",
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                        "weight": "high",
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                    {
                        "name": "Real wage growth",
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                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
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                    {
                        "name": "Scenario growth",
                        "note": "5.2% modelled nominal growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
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                    {
                        "name": "Researched salary growth",
                        "note": "5.2% expected annual salary growth",
                        "weight": "high",
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            {
                "year": 2027,
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                "p25": 659351.81,
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                "confidence": 79,
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                    {
                        "name": "Inflation (CPI)",
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                    {
                        "name": "Wage growth",
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                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Role demand trend",
                        "note": "0.0% annual role demand",
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                    {
                        "name": "Hiring demand",
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                        "direction": "steady"
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                    {
                        "name": "Automation exposure",
                        "note": "35% exposure",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Real wage growth",
                        "note": "0.4% after 4.8% inflation",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Scenario growth",
                        "note": "5.2% modelled nominal growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Researched salary growth",
                        "note": "5.2% expected annual salary growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
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                ]
            },
            {
                "year": 2027,
                "scenario": "optimistic",
                "p25": 678426.6,
                "p50": 724814.74,
                "p75": 771202.89,
                "confidence": 79,
                "drivers": [
                    {
                        "name": "Inflation (CPI)",
                        "note": "4.8% annual price growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Wage growth",
                        "note": "5.2% nominal wage trend",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Role demand trend",
                        "note": "0.0% annual role demand",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Hiring demand",
                        "note": "Demand index 50/100",
                        "weight": "medium",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Automation exposure",
                        "note": "35% exposure",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Real wage growth",
                        "note": "0.4% after 4.8% inflation",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Scenario growth",
                        "note": "5.2% modelled nominal growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Researched salary growth",
                        "note": "5.2% expected annual salary growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
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                ]
            },
            {
                "year": 2029,
                "scenario": "base",
                "p25": 733935.33,
                "p50": 790878.59,
                "p75": 847821.85,
                "confidence": 67,
                "drivers": [
                    {
                        "name": "Inflation (CPI)",
                        "note": "4.8% annual price growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Wage growth",
                        "note": "5.2% nominal wage trend",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Role demand trend",
                        "note": "0.0% annual role demand",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Hiring demand",
                        "note": "Demand index 50/100",
                        "weight": "medium",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Automation exposure",
                        "note": "35% exposure",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Real wage growth",
                        "note": "0.4% after 4.8% inflation",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Scenario growth",
                        "note": "5.2% modelled nominal growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Researched salary growth",
                        "note": "5.2% expected annual salary growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    }
                ]
            },
            {
                "year": 2029,
                "scenario": "conservative",
                "p25": 702986.27,
                "p50": 757528.31,
                "p75": 812070.35,
                "confidence": 67,
                "drivers": [
                    {
                        "name": "Inflation (CPI)",
                        "note": "4.8% annual price growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Wage growth",
                        "note": "5.2% nominal wage trend",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Role demand trend",
                        "note": "0.0% annual role demand",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Hiring demand",
                        "note": "Demand index 50/100",
                        "weight": "medium",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Automation exposure",
                        "note": "35% exposure",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Real wage growth",
                        "note": "0.4% after 4.8% inflation",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Scenario growth",
                        "note": "5.2% modelled nominal growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Researched salary growth",
                        "note": "5.2% expected annual salary growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    }
                ]
            },
            {
                "year": 2029,
                "scenario": "optimistic",
                "p25": 765779.67,
                "p50": 825193.61,
                "p75": 884607.55,
                "confidence": 67,
                "drivers": [
                    {
                        "name": "Inflation (CPI)",
                        "note": "4.8% annual price growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Wage growth",
                        "note": "5.2% nominal wage trend",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Role demand trend",
                        "note": "0.0% annual role demand",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Hiring demand",
                        "note": "Demand index 50/100",
                        "weight": "medium",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Automation exposure",
                        "note": "35% exposure",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Real wage growth",
                        "note": "0.4% after 4.8% inflation",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Scenario growth",
                        "note": "5.2% modelled nominal growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Researched salary growth",
                        "note": "5.2% expected annual salary growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    }
                ]
            },
            {
                "year": 2031,
                "scenario": "base",
                "p25": 805247.02,
                "p50": 875268.5,
                "p75": 945289.98,
                "confidence": 55,
                "drivers": [
                    {
                        "name": "Inflation (CPI)",
                        "note": "4.8% annual price growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Wage growth",
                        "note": "5.2% nominal wage trend",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Role demand trend",
                        "note": "0.0% annual role demand",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Hiring demand",
                        "note": "Demand index 50/100",
                        "weight": "medium",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Automation exposure",
                        "note": "35% exposure",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Real wage growth",
                        "note": "0.4% after 4.8% inflation",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Scenario growth",
                        "note": "5.2% modelled nominal growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Researched salary growth",
                        "note": "5.2% expected annual salary growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
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                ]
            },
            {
                "year": 2031,
                "scenario": "conservative",
                "p25": 749452.67,
                "p50": 814622.46,
                "p75": 879792.26,
                "confidence": 55,
                "drivers": [
                    {
                        "name": "Inflation (CPI)",
                        "note": "4.8% annual price growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Wage growth",
                        "note": "5.2% nominal wage trend",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Role demand trend",
                        "note": "0.0% annual role demand",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Hiring demand",
                        "note": "Demand index 50/100",
                        "weight": "medium",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Automation exposure",
                        "note": "35% exposure",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Real wage growth",
                        "note": "0.4% after 4.8% inflation",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Scenario growth",
                        "note": "5.2% modelled nominal growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Researched salary growth",
                        "note": "5.2% expected annual salary growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
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                ]
            },
            {
                "year": 2031,
                "scenario": "optimistic",
                "p25": 864315.94,
                "p50": 939473.85,
                "p75": 1014631.76,
                "confidence": 55,
                "drivers": [
                    {
                        "name": "Inflation (CPI)",
                        "note": "4.8% annual price growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Wage growth",
                        "note": "5.2% nominal wage trend",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Role demand trend",
                        "note": "0.0% annual role demand",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Hiring demand",
                        "note": "Demand index 50/100",
                        "weight": "medium",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Automation exposure",
                        "note": "35% exposure",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Real wage growth",
                        "note": "0.4% after 4.8% inflation",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Scenario growth",
                        "note": "5.2% modelled nominal growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Researched salary growth",
                        "note": "5.2% expected annual salary growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    }
                ]
            }
        ]
    },
    "skills": [],
    "sources": [
        {
            "name": "d1ai435zjuj0jf.cloudfront.net",
            "url": "https://d1ai435zjuj0jf.cloudfront.net/research/ZA/Job=Environmental_Scientist/Salary/7123f427/Mid-Career",
            "type": "salary_observation",
            "tier": "reported"
        },
        {
            "name": "www.glassdoor.com",
            "url": "https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/environmental-specialist-salary-SRCH_IM1023_KO0,24.htm#1",
            "type": "salary_observation",
            "tier": "reported"
        },
        {
            "name": "www.payscale.com",
            "url": "https://www.payscale.com/research/ZA/Job=Environmental_Scientist/Salary",
            "type": "salary_observation",
            "tier": "reported"
        },
        {
            "name": "www.salaryexpert.com",
            "url": "https://www.salaryexpert.com/salary/job/environmental-scientist/south-africa/",
            "type": "salary_observation",
            "tier": "reported"
        },
        {
            "name": "za.indeed.com",
            "url": "https://za.indeed.com/career/environmental-scientist/salaries?campaignid=serp-more&fromjk=e6a4c6db9cfccc23&from=serp-more",
            "type": "salary_observation",
            "tier": "reported"
        }
    ],
    "faqs": [
        {
            "question": "What is the average salary of a Environmental Scientist in South Africa?",
            "answer": "SpotSalary models a median annual salary of R679.3K for a Environmental Scientist in South Africa, or about R56,608 per month before tax. The middle 50% of the estimate ranges from R460.8K to R1.1M, with a full P10–P90 range of R237.8K to R1.3M. This is a modelled estimate, not a job offer."
        },
        {
            "question": "How much does an entry-level Environmental Scientist earn in South Africa?",
            "answer": "The entry-level band for a Environmental Scientist in South Africa centres on R441.5K per year (P25–P75: R375.3K–R507.8K). Entry-level pay typically covers the first 2 years of experience and depends on company size, skills and responsibilities."
        },
        {
            "question": "How much does a senior or executive Environmental Scientist earn in South Africa?",
            "answer": "The executive band for a Environmental Scientist in South Africa has a median of R1.1M per year and a P75 of R1.2M. Senior and executive packages often include a larger bonus and equity component; this benchmark shows the total-compensation split for each level."
        },
        {
            "question": "What is the salary outlook for a Environmental Scientist in South Africa?",
            "answer": "The outlook is stable. In the base scenario, median pay reaches R875.3K by 2031, about 28.8% above today before inflation and 0.4% per year in real terms after 4.8% inflation. Scenario bands widen over time and are not guarantees."
        },
        {
            "question": "What is the take-home pay for a Environmental Scientist in South Africa?",
            "answer": "After an effective income tax rate of 26.4%, the mid-level Environmental Scientist in South Africa takes home about R500,026 per year, or R41,669 per month. The estimate uses imported national tax brackets and does not include social contributions or local levies."
        },
        {
            "question": "How does SpotSalary calculate these salary estimates?",
            "answer": "Estimates are anchored to external market signals — GDP per capita PPP, inflation, wage growth, cost of living, demand and automation exposure — and synthesised with AI. Deterministic validation rejects implausible outputs. This report carries 85% confidence and draws on 12 salary observations."
        }
    ],
    "related": {
        "occupation_locations": [],
        "occupation_hub": "https://www.spotsalary.com/occupations/environmental-scientist",
        "location_hub": "https://www.spotsalary.com/locations/south-africa-za",
        "all_salaries": "https://www.spotsalary.com/salaries"
    },
    "citation": {
        "plain": "Environmental Scientist Salary in South Africa. SpotSalary. https://www.spotsalary.com/salary/environmental-scientist/south-africa-za",
        "updated_at": "2026-10-29T19:41:27+00:00"
    }
}