Data Scientist vs Site Reliability Engineer salary
In South Africa, a data scientist earns about 2% more than a site reliability engineer — $63,598 vs $62,375 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
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Technology
Data Scientist$63,598/yr
- Monthly
- $5,302
- Hourly
- $31
- Range
- $39,559–$92,981
- 10-yr outlook
- +35%
Technology
Site Reliability Engineer$62,375/yr
- Monthly
- $5,198
- Hourly
- $30
- Range
- $38,795–$91,190
- 10-yr outlook
- +22%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Data Scientist | Site Reliability Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $39,559 | $38,795 |
| 25th | $51,575 | $50,585 |
| Median | $63,598 | $62,375 |
| 75th | $78,287 | $76,782 |
| Senior (90th) | $92,981 | $91,190 |
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 site reliability engineer earn more in South Africa?
- A data scientist earns more, at about R 1 040 000 per year vs R 1 020 000 for a site reliability engineer — roughly 2% (R 20 000) 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 site reliability engineer earns R 634 400–R 1 491 200 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 site reliability engineer about R 85 000.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a data scientist earns about R 646 900 while a site reliability engineer earns about R 634 400 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 site reliability engineer earns about R 1 491 200 per year.
- Are data scientist and site reliability 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.