Technology · South Africa

Data Scientist Salary in South Africa

The South Africa median is $64,535 per year, with observed city pay up to Johannesburg at $45,175.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is ZAR). FX as of Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Data Scientist in South Africa: read the median against a +35% outlook

The South Africa national median for a data scientist is R 1 040 000 a year. Among 1 metros with observed data, pay runs from about R 728 000 in Johannesburg to R 728 000 in Johannesburg (1×).

Data scientists turn raw data into insight using statistics, machine learning, and clear communication. Common screening skills include Python, SQL, Statistics, and Machine learning.

A modeled national band runs about R 646 900–R 1 520 500 around that midpoint. Licensing and immigration rules are independent of this cash sort. Employment outlook for the occupation is sketched at +35% over a decade — a national demand guess, not a hiring guarantee in every South African city.

When metro percentiles appear, prefer those over this national midpoint for a named city. Until then, treat R 1 040 000 as a country-level sketch and pressure-test any offer with tax and cost-of-living tools.

South Africa shows about 3.2% CPI in 2025. A data scientist raise that trails inflation is a real-pay cut even if it still beats last year’s peers. This occupation is also covered in 39 other countries — useful for remote or relocation shortlists, after FX and local tax. Nearby technology titles on this site include Software Engineer, Frontend Developer, Backend Developer, and DevOps Engineer.

How to use Data Scientist pay data in South Africa

Start with the national median (R 1 040 000), then pick the metro where you would actually work. Observed city rows below are stronger than a pay-index guess. If your city is missing, stay on this page for the country figure and check the South Africa hub for other careers.

Convert gross through the salary calculator before comparing two cities — tax and rent often reorder a cash ranking. Figures are estimates for research, not employer bands.

National band vs top metro

National sketch: R 646 900 (10th) → R 1 040 000 (median) → R 1 520 500 (90th). Johannesburg’s observed median is R 728 000, with a local band about R 483 000–R 1 100 000. If an offer is “at the South Africa median” but the job is in Johannesburg, you may still be under local market.

National median
$64,535
per year
Monthly (national)
$5,380
per month, before tax
Highest-paying city
$45,175
Johannesburg, ZA
Hourly (national)
$31.03
varies by city

Data Scientist salary by city in South Africa

Cities below have observed metro percentiles for this role. Prefer these over national-only estimates when you are relocating to a specific market.

CityPer year
Johannesburg, ZA$45,175

Data Scientist salary in other countries

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Related Technology salaries in South Africa

Software EngineerFrontend DeveloperBackend DeveloperDevOps EngineerProduct ManagerUX DesignerData AnalystIT Support SpecialistFull-Stack DeveloperWeb DeveloperData EngineerQA EngineerSite Reliability EngineerCloud ArchitectNetwork EngineerSystems AdministratorDatabase AdministratorAI Engineer

Frequently asked questions

How much does a data scientist make in South Africa?
The national median is about R 1 040 000 per year. Across 1 observed cities, pay ranges from about R 728 000 to R 728 000.
Which South Africa city pays data scientists the most?
Johannesburg, ZA leads observed metros at about R 728 000 per year (-30% vs national).
How many South Africa cities have data scientist salary data?
1 metros list observed data scientist percentiles in ZAR on this site.
Is data scientist in demand in South Africa?
Occupation-level employment is projected at about +35% over ten years. Local hiring still follows South African industry mix.