Database Administrator vs Software Engineer salary
In South Africa, a software engineer earns about 42% more than a database administrator — $58,094 vs $40,972 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
Database Administrator$40,972/yr
- Monthly
- $3,412
- Hourly
- $20
- Range
- $27,696–$57,195
- 10-yr outlook
- +9%
Pays more
Technology
Software Engineer$58,094/yr
- Monthly
- $4,843
- Hourly
- $28
- Range
- $37,180–$83,656
- 10-yr outlook
- +17%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Database Administrator | Software Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $27,696 | $37,180 |
| 25th | $34,337 | $47,637 |
| Median | $40,972 | $58,094 |
| 75th | $49,087 | $70,875 |
| Senior (90th) | $57,195 | $83,656 |
National South Africa figures in ZAR. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Technology comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a database administrator or software engineer earn more in South Africa?
- A software engineer earns more, at about R 950 000 per year vs R 670 000 for a database administrator — roughly 42% (R 280 000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in South Africa?
- A database administrator typically earns R 452 900–R 935 300, while a software engineer earns R 608 000–R 1 368 000 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in South Africa?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a database administrator averages about R 55 800 and a software engineer about R 79 200.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a database administrator earns about R 452 900 while a software engineer earns about R 608 000 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in South Africa, a database administrator earns about R 935 300 while a software engineer earns about R 1 368 000 per year.
- Are database administrator and software 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.