IT salaries in SA: survey
MyBroadband’s IT salary survey has revealed that the average IT salary (basic salary only) in South Africa is R31,738 per month. The average annual pay package of an employee in the IT sector is R425,934.
The IT salary survey was completed by 3,480 IT professionals across South Africa, which included employees from small, medium, and large businesses.
The survey gathered salary information related to age, experience, qualification, company size, seniority, and job area.
The survey also distinguished between employees’ basic monthly salary (excluding benefits and bonuses), and the person’s full annual salary package.
It should be noted that the salary scales listed below are for all workers in the IT field, including support staff and admin staff.
Please note: A full breakdown of IT salaries per job type, age, experience, and qualification will be published in a later article.
Age and salary
The survey showed that the salary of IT professionals increases until the age of 50, but then starts to taper off when people reach retirement age.
| Age | 20 to 25 | 25 to 30 | 30 to 35 | 35 to 40 | 40 to 50 | 50 to 60 | Over 60 |
| Basic monthly salary | R13,491 | R22,528 | R31,594 | R36,067 | R40,349 | R39,321 | R30,574 |
| Annual salary package | R171,151 | R289,286 | R406,688 | R464,312 | R530,697 | R526,478 | R407,490 |
Experience and salary
The salaries of IT professionals are closely linked to experience, and the survey confirmed that salaries increased in line with the experience of the employee.
| Experience | Under 2 years | 2 to 5 years | 5 to 10 years | 10 to 20 years | Over 20 years |
| Basic monthly salary | R12,863 | R17,891 | R26,518 | R38,941 | R44,407 |
| Annual salary package | R165,027 | R226,911 | R343,216 | R504,657 | R585,471 |
Company size and salary
The survey results revealed a simple truth: the bigger the company, the higher the salary.
| Company size | Under 10 | 10 to 100 | 101 to 1000 | Over 1000 |
| Basic monthly salary | R19,647 | R26,904 | R29,846 | R36,509 |
| Annual salary package | R255,551 | R340,053 | R382,385 | R484,663 |
Qualification and salary
A suitable qualification can play a big role in being earmarked for promotions and better positions, and the survey results confirmed that people with higher qualifications earn higher salaries.
| Qualification | Some schooling | Certificate | Matric | Diploma | Degree | Master’s degree | Doctorate (PhD) |
| Basic monthly salary | R16,681 | R22,985 | R25,283 | R27,538 | R35,782 | R45,161 | R46,367 |
| Annual salary package | R216,386 | R294,324 | R326,407 | R356,386 | R463,963 | R595,931 | R635,484 |
Job level and salary
The survey results showed that administrative and support staff earn significantly less that IT professionals and managers.
| Job level | Administrative | Support | Professional | Middle management | Top management |
| Basic monthly salary | R11,812 | R14,994 | R31,611 | R36,756 | R44,844 |
| Annual salary package | R150,889 | R194,174 | R403,889 | R483,417 | R599,778 |
More on SA IT salaries
South African IT salary growth predictions for 2012
Salary disconnect in SA IT industry
IT salaries in South Africa – best paying jobs
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