Cloud Architect vs Data Engineer salary
In South Africa, a cloud architect earns about 30% more than a data engineer — $70,325 vs $53,936 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 | Cloud Architect | Data Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $43,742 | $34,520 |
| 25th | $57,030 | $44,225 |
| Median | $70,325 | $53,936 |
| 75th | $86,573 | $65,799 |
| Senior (90th) | $102,815 | $77,669 |
National South Africa figures in ZAR. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
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Frequently asked questions
- Does a cloud architect or data engineer earn more in South Africa?
- A cloud architect earns more, at about R 1 150 000 per year vs R 882 000 for a data engineer — roughly 30% (R 268 000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in South Africa?
- A cloud architect typically earns R 715 300–R 1 681 300, while a data engineer earns R 564 500–R 1 270 100 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in South Africa?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a cloud architect averages about R 95 800 and a data engineer about R 73 500.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a cloud architect earns about R 715 300 while a data engineer earns about R 564 500 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in South Africa, a cloud architect earns about R 1 681 300 while a data engineer earns about R 1 270 100 per year.
- Are cloud architect and data engineer 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.