Pay by Role
South Africa · Salary comparison

Database Administrator vs Systems Administrator salary

In South Africa, a database administrator earns about 24% more than a systems administrator — $40,972 vs $33,083 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
Database Administrator
$40,972/yr
Monthly
$3,412
Hourly
$20
Range
$27,696–$57,195
10-yr outlook
+9%
Technology
Systems Administrator
$33,083/yr
Monthly
$2,758
Hourly
$16
Range
$22,963–$45,454
10-yr outlook
+4%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileDatabase AdministratorSystems Administrator
Entry (10th)$27,696$22,963
25th$34,337$28,020
Median$40,972$33,083
75th$49,087$39,272
Senior (90th)$57,195$45,454

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

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Frequently asked questions

Does a database administrator or systems administrator earn more in South Africa?
A database administrator earns more, at about R 670 000 per year vs R 541 000 for a systems administrator — roughly 24% (R 129 000) 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 systems administrator earns R 375 500–R 743 300 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 systems administrator about R 45 100.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a database administrator earns about R 452 900 while a systems administrator earns about R 375 500 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 systems administrator earns about R 743 300 per year.
Are database administrator and systems administrator 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.