Data Engineer vs QA Engineer salary
In South Africa, a data engineer earns about 36% more than a qa engineer — $53,936 vs $39,565 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
Data Engineer$53,936/yr
- Monthly
- $4,495
- Hourly
- $26
- Range
- $34,520–$77,669
- 10-yr outlook
- +30%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Data Engineer | QA Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $34,520 | $26,748 |
| 25th | $44,225 | $33,157 |
| Median | $53,936 | $39,565 |
| 75th | $65,799 | $47,399 |
| Senior (90th) | $77,669 | $55,232 |
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 qa engineer earn more in South Africa?
- A data engineer earns more, at about R 882 000 per year vs R 647 000 for a qa engineer — roughly 36% (R 235 000) 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 qa engineer earns R 437 400–R 903 200 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 qa engineer about R 53 900.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a data engineer earns about R 564 500 while a qa engineer earns about R 437 400 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 qa engineer earns about R 903 200 per year.
- Are data engineer and qa 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.