"I Am Disappointed": Digital Marketing Manager’s Salary Breakdown Sparks Debate in South Africa

• A digital marketing manager's salary breakdown sparked a debate about fair pay in South Africa
• The salary breakdown revealed a monthly net pay of R16,019.14 for a digital marketing manager with 3-5 years of experience
• The post ignites conversations about career development and potential opportunities within the digital marketing field

A woman in South Africa broke down the salary of a digital marketing manager, which has drawn widespread attention and sparked debate about pay scales in the profession.

Boni Xaba, who is notorious for showcasing people's salaries, came through with yet another banger under her TikTok handle @liferesetwithboni. She shared details about the earnings of someone working in digital marketing.

According to the information provided by @liferesetwithboni, the professional has between three to five years of experience and holds a degree. They are employed at what appears to be a small company.

The manager’s basic salary is listed as R18,000 per month. After total deductions of R1,803.75, their net pay comes to R16,019.14. @liferesetwithboni explained that, while the figure may appear fair to some, she found it disappointing considering the individual’s skills and qualifications.

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She highlighted the manager’s proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop and Illustrator, along with HTML skills.

“Guys, me I am disappointed, shame,” she said in the video. “But I can see that the person is happy. They were telling me that digital marketing specialists don’t have these skills. Me I have these skills and so on, but no. Why don’t you do your own thing with three to five years’ experience?”

@liferesetwithboni also added that the person works for a small company and has a degree. Her comments prompted online debate about whether digital marketing professionals are underpaid, particularly in smaller companies where budgets may be limited.

The video that was shared on 23 August 2025 on TikTok by user @liferesetwithboni has since fuelled discussions about career growth in the digital sector, with many advising professionals to consider freelancing or starting their own businesses to unlock higher earning potential.

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The average Digital Marketing Manager salary in South Africa is R370,000 to R460,000 annually, with experienced professionals earning over R80,000. Factors influencing this salary include years of experience and the company's industry. Monthly salaries range from ZAR 20,000 to ZAR 80,000, with entry-level salaries ranging from ZAR 20,000 to ZAR 40,000 as reported by Indeed, Payscale and Red and Yellow Creative School of Business.

SA reacts to digital marketing manager’s salary breakdown

The online community shared their thoughts in the comments section on the digital marketing manager's salary, saying:

Imkhitha12 said:

"It’s when you do a degree and u don’t do research about it…cause njani."

Loyiso wrote:

"I’m in digital marketing."

Motherhoodinmy30s inquired:

"Do they work in Cape Town?"

Loyiso commented:

"Asooooooze!! Nka screamer Gore."

3 Briefly News stories about payslips

• A video showed a man’s frustration and disbelief at a weekly salary payslip that he picked up, surprised that people earn so little.
• A TikTok video revealed a South African retail pharmacist's payslip, sparking widespread discussion.
• The salary of a gardener in South Africa shocked many people on the internet and sparked a buzz.

Source: Briefly News