“That’s a Lot of Money”: Man Lists SA’s Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs on TikTok

• A TikTok video revealed South Africa’s top 10 highest-paying jobs, from petroleum engineers to neurosurgeons
• The ranking listed monthly salaries ranging from R67,000 to R417,000, sparking debates about careers and opportunities
• The video went viral with over 12,000 likes and 1,200 shares in one day, though the figures were only estimates

South Africans engaged in lively debates after a viral TikTok listed the country’s top-paying jobs, from engineers to surgeons, with earnings in the hundreds of thousands.

A South African TikTok creator, @justrandomstats, caused a stir on 16 September 2025 after posting a video ranking the top 10 highest-paying jobs in South Africa. The clip quickly gained traction, with more than 12,000 likes and 1,200 shares in just one day. The video broke down monthly earning estimates for various careers, sparking conversations about salaries and aspirations.

The list began with petroleum engineers at number 10, who can earn about R116,000 per month, followed by airline pilots at ninth place with roughly R125,000. In eighth came software architects earning R150,000, while corporate lawyers sat at seventh with around R67,000. Mining engineers took sixth place with R183,000, and actuaries ranked fifth with about R250,000.

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Neurosurgeons lead the salary rankings

The top four jobs included ship captains earning about R292,000, radiation oncologists at R300,000, cardiothoracic surgeons at R375,000, and finally neurosurgeons at number one with an impressive R417,000 per month. While many users were impressed, @justrandomstats made it clear that these figures are estimates rather than guarantees, depending on experience, demand, and specialisation.

The video sparked debate online, with people discussing education costs, career accessibility, and the sacrifices behind such high salaries. Some praised the transparency, while others joked about needing a career switch. Regardless, the clip gave South Africans a snapshot of where the country’s biggest earners can be found and opened up important conversations about work, money, and opportunity.

Mzansi reacted to the video

User6022489523880 commented:

"Nope, 1st place is an ANC politician where you earn billions per year. 😳"

Kekana wrote:

"Here is my Top 5: 5) Zama Zama, 4) Traffic Cop, 3) Chiefs Soccer Player, 2) Company CEO, 1) ANC Politician."

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Lamiin said:

"Life is so unfair, 'cause there's an influencer/content creator out there making such without studying 7+ Years. 💔"

Unbox_kid added:

"The 'up to' isn’t correct. I know actuaries who are earning 700k per month in SA."

Rolf-Weichelt wrote:

"Pilots earn a lot more and are by far the highest earning in SA because most of them get paid under the table for spraying Chem Trails."

Noddy Badge wrote:

"What about pastors taking in R1.3m a month?"

MaBiyela said:

"1st place: Corruption."

Check out the TikTok video below:

3 other Briefly News stories about salaries

• A TikTok video revealed the salary of a 25-year-old receiving clerk, sparking discussions about pay and transparency.
• A South African teacher shared her salary and monthly expenses, prompting netizens to share opinions on black tax.
• A content creator and career coach shared a physiotherapist’s pay slip, earning viral attention on social media.

Source: Briefly News