Pay by Role
South Africa · Salary comparison

Data Engineer vs Frontend Developer salary

In South Africa, a frontend developer earns about 8% more than a data engineer $58,094 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

Technology
Data Engineer
$53,936/yr
Monthly
$4,495
Hourly
$26
Range
$34,520$77,669
10-yr outlook
+30%
Pays more
Technology
Frontend Developer
$58,094/yr
Monthly
$4,843
Hourly
$28
Range
$38,226$82,378
10-yr outlook
+16%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileData EngineerFrontend Developer
Entry (10th)$34,520$38,226
25th$44,225$48,163
Median$53,936$58,094
75th$65,799$70,239
Senior (90th)$77,669$82,378

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

More Technology comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a data engineer or frontend developer earn more in South Africa?
A frontend developer earns more, at about R 950 000 per year vs R 882 000 for a data engineer — roughly 8% (R 68 000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in South Africa?
A data engineer typically earns R 564 500–R 1 270 100, while a frontend developer earns R 625 100–R 1 347 100 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in South Africa?
On a monthly basis before tax, a data engineer averages about R 73 500 and a frontend developer about R 79 200.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a data engineer earns about R 564 500 while a frontend developer earns about R 625 100 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in South Africa, a data engineer earns about R 1 270 100 while a frontend developer earns about R 1 347 100 per year.
Are data engineer and frontend developer 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.