IT Project Manager vs Network Engineer salary in South Africa
Compare salary, demand, difficulty, and long-term growth to choose the right career path.
IT Project Manager vs Network Engineer in South Africa
Winner summary
Choose Network Engineer if your goal is higher income and long-term growth.
Choose IT Project Manager if your goal is faster entry and lower barriers.
Career overview
IT Project Manager
Demand: 6/10
IT or business degree, plus PMP, PRINCE2 or Agile certification.
- Project management certification
- Experience in an IT environment
- Strong written communication
Network Engineer
Demand: 8/10
IT networking diploma, degree or vendor certification route.
- Networking fundamentals
- Firewall exposure
- Vendor certifications
Salary breakdown
Demand and difficulty
Demand
Difficulty
The salary gap at senior level is about R5 000 per month. Network Engineer earns more due to higher demand and stronger salary growth at senior level.
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Check your pay →Key questions
Which pays more in South Africa?
Network Engineer pays more, with senior salaries around R90 000 per month compared to R85 000 for IT Project Manager.
Which is easier to enter?
IT Project Manager is easier to enter due to lower difficulty and more accessible requirements.
Which is better long-term?
Network Engineer offers stronger long-term potential based on higher salary ceilings and demand.
Detailed comparison
When comparing IT Project Manager vs Network Engineer in South Africa, the senior-level salary difference is R5 000 per month.
IT Project Manager is better for quicker entry into the workforce. Network Engineer is better for long-term earnings and career growth.
Skills and requirements
IT Project Manager
- Project planningHigh
- Agile and WaterfallHigh
- Stakeholder managementHigh
- BudgetingMedium
- Vendor managementMedium
Network Engineer
- Routing / switchingHigh
- FirewallsHigh
- Network securityHigh
- Cisco / FortinetMedium
- TroubleshootingHigh
Side by side
Career progression
IT Project Manager
Network Engineer
Related insights
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