SalaryScope South Africa logo
2026 comparison

IT Support Technician vs UX Designer salary in South Africa

Compare salary, demand, difficulty, and long-term growth to choose the right career path.

Quick answer

IT Support Technician vs UX Designer in South Africa

Higher paying career
UX Designer
Monthly difference
R35 000
Easier to enter
IT Support Technician
Better long-term
UX Designer

Winner summary

Winner for salary
UX Designer (+R35 000/month)
Easier entry
IT Support Technician
Best long-term
UX Designer
Verdict

Choose UX Designer if your goal is higher income and long-term growth.

Choose IT Support Technician if your goal is faster entry and lower barriers.

Career overview

IT Support Technician

Demand: 9/10

Salary guide
Requirements

N+ / A+ / IT diploma.

  • A+ / N+
  • Customer service
  • Patience and clear communication
Salary
EntryR12 000
MidR30 000
SeniorR45 000
Top 20%R65 000

UX Designer

Demand: 7/10

Salary guide
Requirements

Design qualification, UX course or strong portfolio.

  • UX portfolio
  • Figma proficiency
  • Research methods
Salary
EntryR18 000
MidR48 000
SeniorR80 000
Top 20%R120 000

Salary breakdown

Entry
IT Support TechnicianR12 000
UX DesignerR18 000
Mid
IT Support TechnicianR30 000
UX DesignerR48 000
Senior
IT Support TechnicianR45 000
UX DesignerR80 000
Top 20%
IT Support TechnicianR65 000
UX DesignerR120 000

Demand and difficulty

Demand

IT Support Technician (9/10)9/10
UX Designer (7/10)7/10

Difficulty

IT Support Technician (3/10)3/10
UX Designer (6/10)6/10
Salary difference
+R35 000/month

The salary gap at senior level is about R35 000 per month. UX Designer earns more due to higher demand and stronger salary growth at senior level.

See full UX Designer salary in South Africa →

Key questions

Which pays more in South Africa?

UX Designer pays more, with senior salaries around R80 000 per month compared to R45 000 for IT Support Technician.

Which is easier to enter?

IT Support Technician is easier to enter due to lower difficulty and more accessible requirements.

Which is better long-term?

UX Designer offers stronger long-term potential based on higher salary ceilings and demand.

Detailed comparison

When comparing IT Support Technician vs UX Designer in South Africa, the senior-level salary difference is R35 000 per month.

IT Support Technician is better for quicker entry into the workforce. UX Designer is better for long-term earnings and career growth.

Skills and requirements

IT Support Technician

Core skills
  • Hardware troubleshootingHigh
  • Windows / Office 365High
  • Active DirectoryMedium

UX Designer

Core skills
  • User researchHigh
  • FigmaHigh
  • Design systemsHigh
  • Product thinkingMedium

Side by side

Hardware troubleshooting
IT Support Technician needs this
Less central
Windows / Office 365
IT Support Technician needs this
Less central
Active Directory
IT Support Technician needs this
Less central
User research
Less central
UX Designer needs this
Figma
Less central
UX Designer needs this
Design systems
Less central
UX Designer needs this

Career progression

IT Support Technician

HelpdeskR16 000
IT Support TechR30 000
Senior SupportR45 000
SysadminR65 000

UX Designer

Junior UX DesignerR24 000
UX DesignerR48 000
Senior UX DesignerR80 000
Product Design LeadR105 000

Related insights

Compare more careersExplore related comparisonsFind higher paying jobs

More IT Support Technician salary comparisons

Other careers people compare with IT Support Technician salary in South Africa.

See full IT Support Technician salary guide →

More UX Designer salary comparisons

Other careers people compare with UX Designer salary in South Africa.

See full UX Designer salary guide →

Explore related salary guides

Related careers
Systems Administrator salaryR70 000Network Engineer salaryR90 000
Higher paying alternatives
Municipal Manager salary - higher earning pathR200 000Psychiatrist salary - higher earning pathR170 000
Easier entry careers
Bookkeeper salary - easier entry option3/10Private Tutor salary - easier entry option3/10
Similar industry salaries
Technology career: Frontend Developer salaryTechnology career: Graphic Designer salary
Popular career comparisons
Software Engineer vs Data Scientist salary in South AfricaChartered Accountant vs Financial Analyst salary in South Africa
Explore more salary guides
how much Web Developers earn in South Africahow much Data Analysts earn in South Africahow much Project Managers earn in South Africahow much Business Analysts earn in South Africahow much QA Engineers earn in South Africahow much Product Managers earn in South Africa
Compare Related Share