Pay by Role
South Africa · Salary comparison

Cloud Architect vs Systems Administrator salary

In South Africa, a cloud architect earns about 113% more than a systems administrator $70,325 vs $33,083 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
Cloud Architect
$70,325/yr
Monthly
$5,858
Hourly
$34
Range
$43,742$102,815
10-yr outlook
+24%
Technology
Systems Administrator
$33,083/yr
Monthly
$2,758
Hourly
$16
Range
$22,963$45,454
10-yr outlook
+4%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileCloud ArchitectSystems Administrator
Entry (10th)$43,742$22,963
25th$57,030$28,020
Median$70,325$33,083
75th$86,573$39,272
Senior (90th)$102,815$45,454

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

More Technology comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a cloud architect or systems administrator earn more in South Africa?
A cloud architect earns more, at about R 1 150 000 per year vs R 541 000 for a systems administrator — roughly 113% (R 609 000) 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 systems administrator earns R 375 500–R 743 300 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 systems administrator about R 45 100.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a cloud architect earns about R 715 300 while a systems administrator earns about R 375 500 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 systems administrator earns about R 743 300 per year.
Are cloud architect and systems administrator 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.