Pay by Role
South Africa · Salary comparison

Data Scientist vs Frontend Developer salary

In South Africa, a data scientist earns about 9% more than a frontend developer $63,598 vs $58,094 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 Scientist
$63,598/yr
Monthly
$5,302
Hourly
$31
Range
$39,559$92,981
10-yr outlook
+35%
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 ScientistFrontend Developer
Entry (10th)$39,559$38,226
25th$51,575$48,163
Median$63,598$58,094
75th$78,287$70,239
Senior (90th)$92,981$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 scientist or frontend developer earn more in South Africa?
A data scientist earns more, at about R 1 040 000 per year vs R 950 000 for a frontend developer — roughly 9% (R 90 000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in South Africa?
A data scientist typically earns R 646 900–R 1 520 500, 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 scientist averages about R 86 700 and a frontend developer about R 79 200.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a data scientist earns about R 646 900 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 scientist earns about R 1 520 500 while a frontend developer earns about R 1 347 100 per year.
Are data scientist 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.