You’re sitting in an interview, feeling confident, and then it comes: “What was your previous salary?” For many South African job seekers, this question feels like a trap. And truth be told—it often is. Salary history questions can anchor your future earnings to a past that may have undervalued you. They can also perpetuate wage gaps based on race, gender, or previous discrimination.
Knowing how to handle this question is essential for protecting your earning potential and your rights. Here’s what you need to know as a candidate in South Africa.
Is It Legal for Employers to Ask for Salary History in South Africa?
Unlike some US states, South Africa does not have an outright ban on asking for salary history. However, the question sits in a legal grey area. The Employment Equity Act prohibits unfair discrimination, and using past salary to determine future pay can indirectly discriminate against women, people of colour, and workers from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) also requires employers to have a lawful basis for collecting personal information. Salary history is personal data. If the employer cannot justify why they need it, they may be violating your privacy rights.
Bottom line: While not explicitly illegal, salary history questions are widely considered poor practice and can be challenged. Many progressive employers no longer ask them. For more on your rights in interviews, read Your Rights in South African Job Interviews Explained Simply.
Why Employers Ask This Question (and Why It’s Problematic)
Employers typically ask for salary history for a few reasons:
- To gauge whether you fit their budget
- To use your past pay as a baseline for an offer
- To screen out candidates they perceive as “too expensive”
The problem? This approach locks you into your past. If you were underpaid before, you stay underpaid. It also widens the gender and race pay gap. A woman who was discriminated against in her previous role will carry that disadvantage into her next job.
The question can also be a warning sign. It may indicate a company that prioritises cost-cutting over fair compensation. Learn more about warning signs in Interview Questions That Signal a Toxic Workplace.
Strategies to Handle the Question
You don’t have to give a direct answer. Here are practical ways to respond, from soft redirections to polite refusals.
Prepare Your Response Before the Interview
Go in with a plan. Practice a few lines so you don’t freeze when the question comes. Your goal is to steer the conversation toward your future value, not your past salary.
Use a Soft Redirect
One of the most effective responses is:
“I’d rather focus on the value I can bring to this role. Based on market research and my experience, I’m expecting a salary in the range of RXXX to RXXX.”
This keeps the conversation professional and forward-looking. It also shows you’ve done your homework.
Share a Range Instead of a Precise Number
If you feel you must give a number, offer a broad range that reflects market rates, not your previous pay. For example:
“My total compensation package in my last role was around R400 000, but I’m now targeting roles in the R500 000 to R550 000 range.”
This provides context without limiting your offer.
Decline Politely and Reference Your Rights
You can say something like:
“I prefer not to share my salary history. I believe it’s more relevant to discuss my skills and the value I can contribute to this team.”
If you feel confident, you can add:
“I understand that in many best-practice organisations, salary history is no longer used to set offers because it can lead to bias.”
For more ways to handle sensitive topics without burning bridges, see Examples of Respectful Ways to Redirect Invasive Questions.
If You Do Share, Provide Context
Sometimes you may choose to share because you trust the employer or the role is a perfect fit. If so, add context:
“My previous salary was R450 000, but that was in a smaller company with fewer responsibilities. Since then I have completed a certification and led two major projects, so I’m expecting significantly more.”
This helps the interviewer see you as more than a number.
What to Do If You Feel Pressured or Discriminated Against
If an interviewer pressures you after you’ve politely declined, or if you suspect they are using salary history to discriminate, take note. You have every right to end the conversation and walk away.
Discrimination based on gender, race, or any other protected ground is illegal. If you believe the salary history question was used to treat you unfairly, document the incident and consider reporting it to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) .
Read more about your options in What to Do if You Feel Discriminated Against in an Interview.
How This Question Relates to Other Tricky Interview Topics
Salary history is just one of many sensitive questions that can catch candidates off guard. Others include questions about transport, marital status, religion, and criminal records. Often, employers use salary history as a proxy for lifestyle or status, which can overlap with race and class bias.
For instance, if the employer asks “Where do you stay?” and then uses that to judge your financial needs, it can affect how they view your salary history. Understand how to handle related questions in Answering Questions About Transport, “Where Do You Stay?” and Safety.
Likewise, questions about your background may touch on race or religion. Learn how to respond in Responding to Questions About Religion, Politics or Race.
Final Tips for South African Job Seekers
Here’s a quick checklist to take into your next interview:
- Know your market value – use salary surveys, Glassdoor, and industry forums.
- Prepare your redirect script – practice it out loud.
- Stay confident – you are not obligated to reveal your past.
- Spot red flags – if the employer insists, consider whether this is a company you want to work for.
- Know your rights – familiarise yourself with the Employment Equity Act and POPIA.
For a deeper dive into what is and isn’t allowed, read How to Handle Illegal Interview Questions in South Africa.
Own Your Worth
Salary history questions don’t have to dictate your future. By preparing a thoughtful, respectful response, you take control of the conversation. You show the interviewer that you know your value—and you protect yourself from being locked into someone else’s past mistakes.
In South Africa’s evolving job market, fair pay practices are gaining ground. Be part of that change by handling this question with confidence and integrity. Your next salary should reflect what you’re worth, not what you were paid before.