AI Engineer vs Cloud Architect salary
In South Africa, a cloud architect earns about 11% more than a ai engineer — $70,325 vs $63,598 per year.
Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is ZAR). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies
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Technology
Cloud Architect$70,325/yr
- Monthly
- $5,858
- Hourly
- $34
- Range
- $43,742–$102,815
- 10-yr outlook
- +24%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | AI Engineer | Cloud Architect |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $37,841 | $43,742 |
| 25th | $50,719 | $57,030 |
| Median | $63,598 | $70,325 |
| 75th | $79,338 | $86,573 |
| Senior (90th) | $95,079 | $102,815 |
National South Africa figures in ZAR. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Technology comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a ai engineer or cloud architect earn more in South Africa?
- A cloud architect earns more, at about R 1 150 000 per year vs R 1 040 000 for a ai engineer — roughly 11% (R 110 000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in South Africa?
- A ai engineer typically earns R 618 800–R 1 554 800, while a cloud architect earns R 715 300–R 1 681 300 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in South Africa?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a ai engineer averages about R 86 700 and a cloud architect about R 95 800.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a ai engineer earns about R 618 800 while a cloud architect earns about R 715 300 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in South Africa, a ai engineer earns about R 1 554 800 while a cloud architect earns about R 1 681 300 per year.
- Are ai engineer and cloud architect similar careers?
- Both roles sit in the Technology category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.