Pay by Role
South Africa · Salary comparison

Data Analyst vs Data Engineer salary

In South Africa, a data engineer earns about 46% more than a data analyst $53,936 vs $36,936 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

Technology
Data Analyst
$36,936/yr
Monthly
$3,076
Hourly
$18
Range
$25,299$51,154
10-yr outlook
+23%
Pays more
Technology
Data Engineer
$53,936/yr
Monthly
$4,495
Hourly
$26
Range
$34,520$77,669
10-yr outlook
+30%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileData AnalystData Engineer
Entry (10th)$25,299$34,520
25th$31,120$44,225
Median$36,936$53,936
75th$44,048$65,799
Senior (90th)$51,154$77,669

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

More Technology comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a data analyst or data engineer earn more in South Africa?
A data engineer earns more, at about R 882 000 per year vs R 604 000 for a data analyst — roughly 46% (R 278 000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in South Africa?
A data analyst typically earns R 413 700–R 836 500, 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 data analyst averages about R 50 300 and a data engineer about R 73 500.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a data analyst earns about R 413 700 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 data analyst earns about R 836 500 while a data engineer earns about R 1 270 100 per year.
Are data analyst 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.