Recent data has shown that South Africa’s job market may be cooling overall, but certain professions are seeing remarkable growth.
According to the CareerJunction Employment Insights Report for Q2 2025, total job vacancies have dropped 4.2% year-on-year and 11.1% over the past two years.
However, a closer look at long-term hiring trends from 2021 to 2025 reveals that demand for specific roles is surging, in some cases, more than doubling.
Top 10 fastest-growing jobs in South Africa from 2021 to 2025
The report indicated that these high-growth positions span both traditional industries and technology-driven sectors, reflecting a mixed economy where skilled professionals remain in short supply.
| Rank | Job Role | Demand Growth (since 2021) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Civil/Structural Engineer | +232% |
| 2 | Mechanical Engineer | +142% |
| 3 | Payroll & Wage Officer | +78% |
| 4 | Tool & Die Maker | +78% |
| 5 | Graphic Designer | +63% |
| 6 | Electrical/Electronic Equipment Technician | +57% |
| 7 | Tax Specialist | +33% |
| 8 | Business Developer | +23% |
| 9 | Senior Manager | +23% |
| 10 | Executive Manager/Director | +14% |
Have you seen demand for your career this year?
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