SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS
What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.
Agricultural Sciences Teachers at the postsecondary level are educators who specialize in teaching agricultural science-related subjects at colleges and universities. They are responsible for imparting knowledge about various aspects of agriculture, including plant and soil sciences, animal husbandry, agricultural economics, agribusiness, horticulture, and food safety. These educators play a crucial role in preparing students for careers in agriculture and related fields, combining theoretical knowledge with practical applications. They often engage in research activities, contribute to curriculum development, and may also participate in community outreach and agricultural extension services. By fostering a deep understanding of agriculture, these teachers help students appreciate the importance of sustainable practices and innovations that benefit the agricultural sector and society as a whole.
AI-powered job search that matches you with opportunities tailored to your skills and career goals.
Start Job SearchWork involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
It’s a bit of a balancing act, really. My day usually kicks off around 07:30. If I’m lucky, I’m in my office at the university or college, catching up on emails and fine-tuning a lecture programme before the first period. By 09:00, I’m usually in the lecture hall. I might be teaching a module on Soil Science or Agribusiness Management to a group of second-year students.
But it’s not all talk and whiteboards. By midday, you’ll likely find me out at the experimental farm or in the laboratory. We might be checking the progress of a hydroponics trial or supervising students as they take soil samples. In South Africa, our teaching has to be incredibly practical because our students need to be ready for the realities of local farming conditions. I usually wrap up the "official" day by 16:30, but there’s always marking or research papers to review in the evening.
It’s a unique mix. One hour I’m in a high-tech lab or a modern, air-conditioned lecture theatre, and the next I’m walking through a muddy maize field or standing in a kraal. You have to be comfortable with both academic rigour and getting your hands dirty. Most of us work at major institutions like the University of Pretoria, Stellenbosch, or perhaps a TVET college in a more rural area. It’s a professional environment, but there’s a definite "earthy" feel to it because everyone involved is passionate about the land.
To be honest, the administrative load can be quite heavy. Between grading assessments and keeping up with South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) requirements, the paperwork never seems to end. Then there’s the broader context—funding for research can be tight, and we have to be very creative with how we organise our resources.
We also have to deal with the pressure of food security. We aren't just teaching a subject; we are training the people who will have to feed the country amidst climate change and land reform complexities. It’s a lot of responsibility to carry.
It’s a competitive space, definitely. These roles are highly sought after and often have low turnover because people tend to stay in academia for a long time. However, don't let the "0 active jobs" figure discourage you entirely. It simply means you have to be strategic. Networking within the agricultural sector and completing a PhD are almost non-negotiable if you want to land a permanent post at a university. Many start as junior lecturers or research assistants while they finish their postgraduate studies.
That’s a very fair average for a mid-level lecturer or a senior teacher at a college. When you start out, you might earn a bit less, but as you publish research and gain seniority, your earning potential increases. It’s a comfortable living, especially when you consider the benefits like medical aid and pension contributions that usually come with institutional roles. It’s not "corporate" money, but the job security and the intellectual freedom make it worth it for many of us.
There is nothing quite like the "aha!" moment when a student finally grasps a complex genetic concept or successfully manages a crop cycle for the first time. Realising that you are helping a young person from a rural background gain the skills to go back and transform their community’s farming practices is incredibly fulfilling. You feel like you are part of the solution for South Africa’s future.
My biggest piece of advice is to stay curious and stay grounded. Don't just stay in the library; get out into the industry. Join agricultural societies, attend farmers' days, and understand the challenges local farmers face. If you want to teach at a postsecondary level, you need to be an expert, so focus on your postgraduate research early. Most importantly, you need to have a genuine love for both the science of agriculture and the art of teaching. Without that passion, the marking and the admin will wear you down.
If you're passionate about the future of South African agriculture and want to see if you have the aptitude for a career in education and research, take the next step today.
Take Our Career AssessmentCompare this with Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary and Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary, which pay a similar kind of salary in South Africa.
Find jobs that match your skills with AI-powered search
Search Jobs NowA free assessment matches your answers to careers, and shows the salary that goes with each one.
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.
Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences, Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues and Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.