Professional football in South Africa elevates players to hero status, yet their earnings are often “sealed in envelopes and kept far away from the public”. This secrecy masks vast financial disparities: a select few earn fortunes, while many navigate modest existences. This opacity may suppress wages for many by limiting access to comparable salary data, weakening their negotiating power. Questions remain: how much does an average soccer player earn in South Africa?
How Much Does an Average Soccer Player Earn?
The Betway Premiership, South Africa’s top tier, shows a dramatic spectrum of earnings.
- The Elite Earners – Living the Dream: Top contracts are at Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, and Orlando Pirates. Samir Nurkovic reportedly earned R930,000 monthly. Deon Hotto (Orlando Pirates) earns around R500,000, and Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs) about R480,000 monthly. Players like Bongani Zungu reportedly earned R700,000 at Mamelodi Sundowns, with Thapelo Morena and Peter Shalulile earning around R400,000 monthly.
- The Mid-Range and Elusive “Average”: An “average” PSL salary is hard to pinpoint. Estimates are around R40,000 monthly. Mike Makaab suggested a broader annual average of R800,000 to R1 million (R67,000-R83,000 monthly), skewed by top earners. Many established professionals likely earn R50,000-R200,000 monthly. The PSL’s R2 million monthly club grant is often supplemented by wealthier clubs, creating financial stratification.
- Entry-Level and The Minimum Wage Question: Newer players or players at less affluent clubs might earn R5,000-R30,000 monthly. Some reports place entry-level pay between R7,500 and R15,000. Soccer agents believes a starting PSL salary should be R35,000- R40,000.
Crucially, there’s no prescribed minimum wage agreement for professional footballers in the Betway Premiership. Some Royal AM players allegedly took home as little as R2,000 or R4,950 net monthly, below the national minimum wage (approx. R4,779.38 for a 40-hour week as of March 2024). This occurs despite Betway’s R900 million three-year sponsorship, raising questions about equitable wealth distribution.
Betway Premiership Monthly Salary Ranges
| Category | Monthly Salary Range (ZAR) |
|---|---|
| Elite Top Earners | R300,000 – R930,000+ |
| Established PSL Regulars | R80,000 – R300,000 |
| Mid-Tier & Squad Players | R40,000 – R80,000 |
| Entry-Level / Younger Players / Lowest Earners | R5,000 – R40,000 |
Note: Some players in the lowest category have been reported to earn below the national minimum wage.
The Second Tier’s Story: Motsepe Foundation Championship (NFD)
Earnings in the Motsepe Foundation Championship (NFD) are considerably lower.
- A Different Financial Ballgame: Agent Lance Cassisa estimated an average NFD monthly salary around R15,000, suggesting an ideal start between R20,000-R30,000. The Motsepe Foundation’s R5 million prize for NFD champions primarily benefits the winning club.
- The Precarious Ground Floor: Many NFD players earn R5,000-R10,000 monthly, with some clubs allegedly paying as little as R2,500-R3,000. Extreme cases, like Leruma United, saw players reportedly paid R1,000 monthly, with some, like Ade Jimoh Adeleke, allegedly not receiving salaries. The third-tier ABC Motsepe League often pays only R250-R500 win bonuses, with previous R30,000 monthly club grants reportedly ceasing. This precarity in the NFD, a “development league”, can undermine player development.
Factors Influencing Player Salaries
Several factors determine earnings:
- Club Wealth: Wealthier clubs like Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, and Kaizer Chiefs offer higher salaries.
- Player Profile: Performance, experience, age, and international experience (especially overseas) boost market value. National team players can earn more, though some Bafana Bafana players earn under R100,000 monthly.
- Agents: Strong agents negotiating based on statistics and careers can secure better deals. Commissions are often around 10%.
- Playing Position: Attackers often earn more than defenders or goalkeepers.
- Marketability: Commercial appeal and image rights can add to income but can also lead to disputes, like Gabadinho Mhango’s R800,000 claim.
Beyond Basic Salaries: Other Income
Other income sources include:
- Signing-on Fees: Lump sums upon contract signing. SAFA regulations suggest that these form part of basic gross income for agent commission calculations. Marcelo Allende’s transfer to Sundowns involved a significant fee.
- Performance Bonuses: For match/trophy wins. Mamelodi Sundowns players share 80% of prize money and get R5,000-R8,000 per PSL match won (after four wins). Other top clubs may decide ad hoc. ABC Motsepe League bonuses are smaller (R250-R500).
- National Team Payments: Bafana Bafana players reportedly earned R60,000 for a win and R30,000 for a draw in 2023. SAFA has sometimes needed help to settle payments.
- Endorsement Deals: Additional income for high-profile players, though values vary.
A League of Financial Contrasts
South African football finance is marked by stark contrasts. Elite Betway Premiership players earn substantially, mainly at a few wealthy clubs, widening the pay gap despite the PSL’s R2 million monthly club grant.
However, many professionals, especially in lower Betway Premiership tiers and the NFD, earn modest wages. Some top-flight players have reportedly earned below the national minimum wage, with no prescribed minimum for footballers. NFD financial insecurity is worse, with low pay and non-payment issues. Salary secrecy further complicates matters, potentially disadvantaging players. While a lucrative career is possible for a few, many face financial uncertainty, highlighting challenges in ensuring fair remuneration across professional football.
Also read: Kaizer Chiefs’ Highest-Paid Players in 2025
