▼65%
R543,356
Avg. Base Salary (ZAR)
/ year
Avg. Base Salary (ZAR)
10%
ZAR 129k
MEDIAN
ZAR 543k
90%
ZAR 1m
The average salary for a Design Engineer is R543,356 in 2025
Base Salary
R129k - R1m
Bonus
R33k - R79k
Total Pay
R283k - R1m
Is Average Experienced Design Engineer with Computer Aided Design (CAD) Skills Salary in South Africa your job title? Find out what you should be paid
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What is the Pay by Experience Level for Design Engineers?
What Do Design Engineers Do?
Find your market worth – how it works:
Common Health Benefits for a Design Engineer
Medical
33%
None
67%
Gender Breakdown for Design Engineers
Male
91.7%
Female
8.3%
This data is based on 12 survey responses. Learn more about the gender pay gap.
FAQs About Design Engineers
What is the highest pay for Design Engineers?
Our data indicates that the highest pay for a Design Engineer is ZAR 1m / year
What is the lowest pay for Design Engineers?
Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a Design Engineer is ZAR 129k / year
How can Design Engineers increase their salary?
Increasing your pay as a Design Engineer is possible in different ways. Change of employer: Consider a career move to a new employer that is willing to pay higher for your skills. Level of Education: Gaining advanced degrees may allow this role to increase their income potential and qualify for promotions. Managing Experience: If you are a Design Engineer that oversees more junior Design Engineers, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.