A recent report issued by CareerJunction has outlined the ten job categories in South Africa that are experiencing the most rapid growth in 2025. The findings show a wide range of expanding opportunities, from highly technical roles in information technology and artificial intelligence to more established professions such as electricians and business managers. This shift illustrates a dynamic job market where both cutting-edge innovation and traditional expertise are shaping employment trends across multiple industries.
Key Takeaways
- Engineering Leads Job Growth: Civil, structural, and mechanical engineers are seeing the highest surge in demand, with increases of 232% and 142% respectively since 2021. These roles are essential to infrastructure development and industrial expansion across South Africa.
- Traditional Roles Remain Vital: Jobs like tool and die makers, payroll officers, and tax specialists continue to grow steadily. Despite rapid technological advancement, demand for hands-on technical skills and financial compliance expertise remains strong.
- Mixed Trends in Job Market: While overall job listings have declined by over 11% in two years, several industries including healthcare, manufacturing, and marketing are showing signs of recovery. IT and admin roles have seen sharp drops, but niche tech and support jobs still offer opportunity.
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National Job Vacancies Continue to Decline Despite Growth in Key Sectors
The CareerJunction Employment Insights Report for the second quarter of 2025 indicates that job advertisements across South Africa have decreased by 4.2% compared to the same period in the previous year. Looking at a broader timeline, the total decline over the last 24 months stands at a more substantial 11.1%. This drop highlights mounting economic pressures on businesses, forcing employers to scale back hiring despite ongoing demand in certain specialised areas.
An examination of the first six months of 2025 reveals a continuation of the downward trend observed in recent years. Specifically, there was a 2% decline in job listings when comparing the first quarter to the second. This mirrored the drop seen between the final quarter of 2024 and the opening months of 2025, confirming a persistent softening in employment demand. Analysts suggest this sustained downturn reflects cautious business sentiment amid inflationary strain, fluctuating energy prices, and lingering post-pandemic economic fragility.
Major Declines in Administration, Finance, and Information Technology Roles
Roles within the administrative, financial, and IT sectors have been among the most affected by these shifts. Job opportunities categorised under Admin, Office and Support functions decreased by 2%, while financial vacancies saw a more pronounced reduction of 14%. The most dramatic drop was observed in the IT sector, where the number of available positions declined by 20% compared to figures from the previous year. This contraction, particularly in IT, could be tied to delayed digital transformation projects and tighter tech budgets in both private and public sectors.
IT Skills Still Valued, but at Lower Hiring Volumes
Even though job advertisements in the IT field have contracted significantly, demand for skilled IT professionals remains present. The primary difference in 2025 is that hiring volumes have not reached the levels observed in earlier years, suggesting a more cautious approach by employers while still acknowledging the importance of technical expertise.
While routine tech roles are seeing slower uptake, niche areas such as cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, and AI remain hot pockets of demand.
Signs of Recovery in Healthcare, Marketing, and Manufacturing
When comparing the three-month period from April to June 2025 to the previous quarter, there are encouraging signs in certain industries. Recruitment activity increased by 27% for Medical and Health professionals, demonstrating a renewed investment in public and private healthcare services. The Marketing profession experienced an 18% rise in hiring, while Manufacturing and Assembly jobs recorded a 12% increase, indicating growing momentum in the industrial sector. These gains suggest that sectors linked to essential services and economic rebuilding are leading the charge in job creation.
Administrative and Support Roles Suffer a Fresh Decline
Conversely, the category comprising Admin and Support roles, which includes human resource professionals, secretaries, clerks, and personal assistants, experienced a further 8% reduction in hiring during the same quarterly comparison. This reflects a cautious hiring approach in support-related functions, possibly due to automation or budgetary pressures. With AI tools increasingly taking over routine admin tasks, many organisations are rethinking the structure of back-office teams.
Top 10 Fastest-Growing Jobs Identified by CareerJunction
In response to the shifting employment landscape, CareerJunction has compiled a list of ten job roles that have shown the most significant growth in hiring activity since 2021. These positions represent a blend of long-established occupations and those influenced by advancements in technology, illustrating the varied nature of South Africa’s evolving workforce. This blend signals that both skilled artisans and digital professionals are essential to the country’s growth ambitions.
To determine which roles are growing most rapidly, CareerJunction analysed job listing data spanning from 2021 through 2025. This method offers a broader perspective on employment changes and reveals how different sectors are responding to long-term trends, rather than just short-term fluctuations. Such a timeline highlights consistent winners rather than temporary spikes caused by seasonal or crisis-related hiring.
While the broader South African job market continues to face obstacles, particularly in terms of shrinking job volumes, CareerJunction’s findings make it clear that opportunities still exist. Professionals who possess technical qualifications, specialised industry knowledge, or leadership capabilities are particularly well-positioned to benefit from current demand. Upskilling in areas like engineering, finance, and tech could dramatically boost employability, even in a lukewarm hiring environment.
Importantly, the strongest growth has not been confined to newer, tech-centric occupations. There is also a clear upward trend in more traditional professions, many of which continue to form the foundation of the country’s economic stability and infrastructure. This underscores the ongoing importance of a balanced labour force where manual expertise and digital intelligence work side by side.
Breakdown of the Top 10 In-Demand Jobs in 2025
| Job Title & Demand Growth | Description |
|---|---|
| Civil and Structural Engineers (+232%) | Taking the top position are civil and structural engineers, who have experienced a remarkable 232% increase in demand over the last four years. These professionals play a crucial role in designing and overseeing large-scale infrastructure projects such as highways, residential and commercial buildings, and bridges. Their expertise remains essential to the country’s urban development and construction sectors, which continue to offer stable hiring growth year after year. |
| Mechanical Engineers (+142%) | Closely following are mechanical engineers, who have seen a 142% rise in job demand since 2021. These engineers are indispensable in industries such as manufacturing, energy, and automotive production, where they are responsible for designing, maintaining, and improving machinery and mechanical systems. While much of the growth occurred during 2022 and 2023, hiring has continued to rise at an annual rate of 7%. As green technology gains traction, mechanical engineers skilled in energy efficiency and automation are especially sought-after. |
| Payroll and Wage Officers (+78%) | Ranking third, payroll and wage officers have also become considerably more sought after, with demand increasing by 78% since 2021. Their ability to ensure employees are paid accurately and in compliance with labour laws has made them vital to both public and private sector organisations. In the past year alone, hiring for these roles rose by 10%, underlining their continued relevance. |
| Tool and Die Makers (+78%) | Another significant contributor to the growing job market is the role of tool and die makers. These highly skilled artisans are tasked with creating precision tools, dies, and moulds used in manufacturing processes. Their demand has grown by 78% since 2021, with most of the increase occurring in the 2022–2023 period. Growth has continued into 2025, with a 14% rise in job listings over the last 12 months. |
| Graphic Designers (+63%) | Graphic designers, particularly those working in print media and product packaging, have witnessed a 63% surge in hiring demand. This reflects a rising emphasis on strong visual identity and marketing appeal as businesses compete for consumer attention. In the past year alone, demand for graphic designers increased by 24%, indicating growing value placed on creativity and branding. |
| Electrical and Electronic Equipment Technicians (+57%) | Technicians who specialise in the installation, maintenance, and repair of electronic systems have also seen notable job market success. Since 2021, hiring for electrical and electronic equipment technicians has grown by 57%, with a significant 37% jump in the last year. These roles are critical in sectors ranging from healthcare and telecommunications to industrial machinery, underscoring their cross-sector appeal. Demand is also rising in the renewable energy sector, where skilled technicians are essential for solar and battery storage systems. |
| Tax Specialists (+33%) | With an increasingly complex tax environment, tax specialists have become more essential to businesses seeking to navigate compliance regulations while maintaining efficiency. Since 2021, the number of job postings for these professionals has increased by 33%. Over the past year, there has been a further 6% growth, reflecting the rising demand for financial oversight and advisory services. Tighter SARS enforcement and shifting corporate tax codes are contributing to a hiring boost in this field. |
| Business Developers (+23%) | Business developers, whose primary function is to identify new growth opportunities and drive market expansion, have seen a 23% rise in demand over the last four years. Although the annual growth from 2024 to 2025 was a modest 1%, the role remains important for companies looking to adapt and expand their market presence. |
| Senior Managers (+23%) | Senior managers have also benefited from sustained demand, with listings up 23% compared to 2021. These individuals are typically responsible for high-level strategic planning and operational oversight. In the past year, hiring activity for senior managers rose by 21%, reflecting the importance of experienced leadership in navigating economic uncertainty. Firms in sectors like logistics, financial services, and mining are actively seeking managers who can drive transformation and long-term planning. |
| Executive Managers and Directors (+14%) | Rounding off the top 10 are executive managers and directors, whose demand has risen by 14% over the past four years. These professionals are central to setting long-term organisational goals and steering business strategy. Over the last 12 months, recruitment for these high-level roles grew by 11%, signalling the enduring importance of strong corporate governance and direction. Boards are prioritising leadership that can handle complex risk environments, ESG obligations, and global competitiveness. |
Conclusion
Despite a general slowdown in job postings across South Africa, the labour market is evolving rather than shrinking. The latest data from CareerJunction reveals that opportunities still exist for professionals with targeted skills, particularly in engineering, healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. With businesses adapting to new economic realities, both high-tech and traditional roles are seeing renewed demand, suggesting that a well-balanced and adaptable workforce is key to staying competitive in 2025 and beyond.
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