Pay by Role
South Africa · Salary comparison

IT Support Specialist vs Network Engineer salary

In South Africa, a network engineer earns about 70% more than a it support specialist $39,504 vs $23,238 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
IT Support Specialist
$23,238/yr
Monthly
$1,939
Hourly
$11
Range
$16,964$30,906
10-yr outlook
+6%
Pays more
Technology
Network Engineer
$39,504/yr
Monthly
$3,290
Hourly
$19
Range
$26,705$55,147
10-yr outlook
+5%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileIT Support SpecialistNetwork Engineer
Entry (10th)$16,964$26,705
25th$20,101$33,101
Median$23,238$39,504
75th$27,072$47,325
Senior (90th)$30,906$55,147

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

More Technology comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a it support specialist or network engineer earn more in South Africa?
A network engineer earns more, at about R 646 000 per year vs R 380 000 for a it support specialist — roughly 70% (R 266 000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in South Africa?
A it support specialist typically earns R 277 400–R 505 400, while a network engineer earns R 436 700–R 901 800 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in South Africa?
On a monthly basis before tax, a it support specialist averages about R 31 700 and a network engineer about R 53 800.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a it support specialist earns about R 277 400 while a network engineer earns about R 436 700 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in South Africa, a it support specialist earns about R 505 400 while a network engineer earns about R 901 800 per year.
Are it support specialist and network 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.