Pay by Role
South Africa · Salary comparison

IT Support Specialist vs Systems Administrator salary

In South Africa, a systems administrator earns about 42% more than a it support specialist $33,083 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
Systems Administrator
$33,083/yr
Monthly
$2,758
Hourly
$16
Range
$22,963$45,454
10-yr outlook
+4%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileIT Support SpecialistSystems Administrator
Entry (10th)$16,964$22,963
25th$20,101$28,020
Median$23,238$33,083
75th$27,072$39,272
Senior (90th)$30,906$45,454

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 systems administrator earn more in South Africa?
A systems administrator earns more, at about R 541 000 per year vs R 380 000 for a it support specialist — roughly 42% (R 161 000) 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 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 it support specialist averages about R 31 700 and a systems administrator about R 45 100.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a it support specialist earns about R 277 400 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 it support specialist earns about R 505 400 while a systems administrator earns about R 743 300 per year.
Are it support specialist 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.