East Rand Job Market & JHB South
If you’re looking for work in the East Rand or Johannesburg South, you’re not alone, these areas remain some of the most active job hubs in Gauteng. From retail and admin roles to warehousing, technical work, and management positions, employers are still hiring despite a competitive job market.
At JobGround, we focus on connecting local employers with local talent, and in this post, we’re breaking down:
Which jobs are currently in demand
What types of roles are trending in the East Rand & JHB South
What salaries generally look like right now
How job seekers can improve their chances of getting hired
The Current East Rand & JHB South Job Market
The East Rand and Johannesburg South cover major business and industrial areas including Boksburg, Germiston, Alberton, Kempton Park, Benoni, and surrounding regions. These areas are home to:
Retail centres and malls
Warehousing and logistics hubs
Manufacturing and industrial businesses
Offices, dealerships, and service companies
Because of this mix, the job market here offers a wide range of entry-level, skilled, and management roles, making it ideal for job seekers at different stages of their careers.
Jobs That Are Hiring the Most Right Now
Based on local hiring trends and employer demand, these are some of the most common job categories currently available in the East Rand and Johannesburg South.
Retail & Customer Service Jobs
Retail remains one of the biggest employers in the region.
Common roles include:
Sales Assistants
Cashiers
Shop Assistants
Store Supervisors
Store Managers
These roles are popular in shopping centres, retail chains, and independent stores, with many employers hiring urgently due to staff turnover and extended trading hours.
Admin & Office Jobs
Administrative roles are consistently in demand, especially in small to medium-sized businesses.
Popular positions include:
Receptionists
Administrative Assistants
Office Administrators
Data Capturers
These roles often suit candidates with basic computer skills, good communication, and organisational ability.
Warehousing, Logistics & General Work
With the East Rand being a logistics hub, these jobs remain highly sought-after:
Warehouse Assistants
Pickers and Packers
Forklift Drivers
Dispatch Clerks
General Workers
Many of these roles do not require formal qualifications but do value reliability, physical fitness, and experience.
Technical, Trade & Skilled Jobs
There is steady demand for skilled workers across various industries, including:
Electricians
Technicians
Machine Operators
Quality Controllers
IT and Network Support Roles
These jobs typically offer better pay and long-term stability, especially for candidates with experience or certifications.
Supervisory & Management Roles
While more competitive, management roles are still being advertised regularly:
Operations Managers
Warehouse Supervisors
Retail Managers
Team Leaders
These positions are ideal for candidates looking to move into leadership or take the next step in their careers.
What Jobs Are Paying in the East Rand & JHB South
Salaries vary depending on experience, qualifications, and the employer, but here are realistic monthly pay ranges commonly seen in the region:
East Rand Pay Ranges and Market
Market character: lots of retail (shopping centres), logistics/warehousing (Ekurhuleni industrial belt), light manufacturing and services. Employers frequently advertise temporary, shift and entry roles as well as some mid-skill technical roles.
Typical monthly pay ranges for East Rand (ZAR): Realistic ranges based on local listings and salary aggregators:
Cashier / Shop Assistant / Retail Sales Assistant: R4,500 – R8,000 per month (local cashier averages show R4,700 in East Rand and retail sales averages around R6k nationally).
Retail Supervisor / Assistant Manager: R8,000 – R14,000 per month (varies by chain and benefits; smaller shops pay less and branded retail pays more).
Warehouse Assistant / Picker & Packer: R5,500 – R11,000 per month (hourly estimates from Payscale translate into this monthly band depending on hours/OT).
Forklift / Plant Operators: R9,000 – R14,000 per month (training and licences increase pay).
Admin / Reception / Data Capturer (entry–mid): R6,000 – R12,000 per month (depends on experience and whether temp/perm).
Skilled trades & technicians (electricians, machine operators): R12,000 – R25,000+ per month (specialised skills or certified trades attract higher offers).
Notes about East Rand numbers: retail and warehouse roles are the bulk of postings. Many entry roles are on the lower end of the ranges, but experienced supervisors and certified technicians push into the mid/high bands.
Johannesburg South Pay Ranges and Market
Market character: mixed residential and commercial suburbs feeding into inner-city and industrial employers. You will find retail in malls, service industry roles, and some light industry/warehousing.
Typical monthly pay ranges for JHB South (ZAR):
Sales Assistant / Retail Sales: R5,500 – R9,000 per month (Sales assistant averages in Johannesburg region are between R6- 7k).
Cashiers: R5,000 – R8,500 per month (local listings show advertised cashier roles between R6k – R6.5k).
Store Manager / Retail Manager: R12,000 – R25,000 per month (regional averages for store managers in Johannesburg vary. Job listings show an average around R11k – R14k but bigger chains pay more).
Warehouse Worker / General Logistics: R7,000 – R13,000 per month (Job listings show the regional average for a warehouse worker in Johannesburg is around R8.6k).
Forklift Operator / Skilled warehouse roles: R9,000 – R15,000 per month (licensed operators toward higher end).
Admin / Office Support: R6,000 – R14,000 per month (varies widely by seniority and permanence).
Notes about Johannesburg South numbers: because Johannesburg has more corporate listings overall, managerial roles can scale higher if employers are national chains or larger corporate stores. Smaller neighbourhood shops typically sit toward the lower end.
Quick comparison: East Rand vs Johannesburg South
Entry retail & cashier pay: broadly similar, with East Rand leaning slightly lower on average (R4.8k) while Johannesburg region sales roles show between R6 – 7k.
Warehouse & logistics: both areas show strong demand. Johannesburg averages for a warehouse worker are R8.6k while Payscale data suggests wide variation depending on hours, overtime and skills (R5.5k – R13k typical).
Supervisory & manager roles: Johannesburg posts slightly higher (store managers R11 – 14k typical on job boards), but experienced managers in branded retail can command R20k+.
Tip: Always read the full job description and ask about growth opportunities. Many employers offer increases after probation or performance reviews.
Tips for Job Seekers Applying in These Areas
If you’re applying for jobs in the East Rand or Johannesburg South, these tips can help improve your chances:
Keep Your CV Simple and Clear
Most employers want a short, easy-to-read CV. Focus on:
Relevant experience
Practical skills
Contact details that work
Apply for Local Jobs
Employers often prefer candidates who live nearby due to transport reliability and availability.
Check JobGround Regularly
New jobs are added often, and early applicants usually have an advantage.
Be Honest About Your Experience
It’s better to be honest and show willingness to learn than to oversell your skills.
Read our Guide on how to Build a Professional CV & Cover Letter here
The East Rand and Johannesburg South continue to offer real job opportunities for people willing to apply, show up, and grow. No matter if you’re looking for your first job, a career change, or a step up, staying informed and applying consistently makes a difference.
Browse the latest jobs on JobGround and take the next step in your job search today.
