Pay by Role
South Africa · Salary comparison

Backend Developer vs IT Support Specialist salary

In South Africa, a backend developer earns about 150% more than a it support specialist $58,094 vs $23,238 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

Pays more
Technology
Backend Developer
$58,094/yr
Monthly
$4,843
Hourly
$28
Range
$37,180$83,656
10-yr outlook
+16%
Technology
IT Support Specialist
$23,238/yr
Monthly
$1,939
Hourly
$11
Range
$16,964$30,906
10-yr outlook
+6%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileBackend DeveloperIT Support Specialist
Entry (10th)$37,180$16,964
25th$47,637$20,101
Median$58,094$23,238
75th$70,875$27,072
Senior (90th)$83,656$30,906

National South Africa figures in ZAR. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Technology comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a backend developer or it support specialist earn more in South Africa?
A backend developer earns more, at about R 950 000 per year vs R 380 000 for a it support specialist — roughly 150% (R 570 000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in South Africa?
A backend developer typically earns R 608 000–R 1 368 000, while a it support specialist earns R 277 400–R 505 400 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in South Africa?
On a monthly basis before tax, a backend developer averages about R 79 200 and a it support specialist about R 31 700.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a backend developer earns about R 608 000 while a it support specialist earns about R 277 400 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in South Africa, a backend developer earns about R 1 368 000 while a it support specialist earns about R 505 400 per year.
Are backend developer and it support specialist 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.