SalaryScopeFind. Compare. Grow.South Africa
2026 comparison

Security Engineer vs Network Engineer salary in South Africa

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

Quick answer

Security Engineer vs Network Engineer in South Africa

Higher paying career
Security Engineer
Monthly difference
R5 000
Easier to enter
Security Engineer
Better long-term
Security Engineer

Winner summary

Winner for salary
Security Engineer (+R5 000/month)
Easier entry
Security Engineer
Best long-term
Security Engineer
Verdict

Choose Security Engineer if your goal is higher income and long-term growth.

Choose Security Engineer if your goal is faster entry and lower barriers.

Career overview

Security Engineer

Demand: 9/10

Salary guide
Requirements

BSc Computer Science or IT, plus security certifications.

  • Security certification such as Security+ or CISSP over time
  • Networking and systems background
  • Good judgement under pressure
Salary
EntryR28 000
MidR62 000
SeniorR95 000
Upper benchmarkR140 000

Network Engineer

Demand: 8/10

Salary guide
Requirements

IT networking diploma, degree or vendor certification route.

  • Networking fundamentals
  • Firewall exposure
  • Vendor certifications
Salary
EntryR22 000
MidR58 000
SeniorR90 000
Upper benchmarkR135 000

Salary breakdown

Entry
Security EngineerR28 000
Network EngineerR22 000
Mid
Security EngineerR62 000
Network EngineerR58 000
Senior
Security EngineerR95 000
Network EngineerR90 000
Upper benchmark
Security EngineerR140 000
Network EngineerR135 000

Demand and difficulty

Demand

Security Engineer (9/10)9/10
Network Engineer (8/10)8/10

Difficulty

Security Engineer (7/10)7/10
Network Engineer (7/10)7/10
Salary difference
+R5 000/month

The salary gap at senior level is about R5 000 per month. Security Engineer earns more due to higher demand and stronger salary growth at senior level.

See full Security Engineer salary in South Africa →
RecommendedInteractive tool

Where does your own pay sit?

Enter your salary to see how it lines up with South African benchmarks and what you take home after PAYE and UIF.

Check your pay →

Key questions

Which pays more in South Africa?

Security Engineer pays more, with senior salaries around R95 000 per month compared to R90 000 for Network Engineer.

Which is easier to enter?

Security Engineer is easier to enter due to lower difficulty and more accessible requirements.

Which is better long-term?

Security Engineer offers stronger long-term potential based on higher salary ceilings and demand.

Detailed comparison

When comparing Security Engineer vs Network Engineer in South Africa, the senior-level salary difference is R5 000 per month.

Security Engineer is better for quicker entry into the workforce. Security Engineer is better for long-term earnings and career growth.

Skills and requirements

Security Engineer

Core skills
  • Network securityHigh
  • Cloud securityHigh
  • Identity and access managementHigh
  • ScriptingMedium
  • Threat modellingMedium

Network Engineer

Core skills
  • Routing / switchingHigh
  • FirewallsHigh
  • Network securityHigh
  • Cisco / FortinetMedium
  • TroubleshootingHigh

Side by side

Network security
Security Engineer needs this
Network Engineer needs this
Cloud security
Security Engineer needs this
Not used by Network Engineer
Identity and access management
Security Engineer needs this
Not used by Network Engineer
Scripting
Security Engineer needs this
Not used by Network Engineer
Threat modelling
Security Engineer needs this
Not used by Network Engineer
Routing / switching
Not used by Security Engineer
Network Engineer needs this

Career progression

Security Engineer

Junior Security EngineerR35 000
Security EngineerR62 000
Senior Security EngineerR95 000
Security ArchitectR130 000

Network Engineer

Junior Network TechnicianR28 000
Network EngineerR58 000
Senior Network EngineerR90 000
Network ArchitectR120 000

Related insights

Compare more careersExplore related comparisonsFind higher paying jobs
RecommendedCareer guide

Where can your experience take you?

See which roles cross R50k a month in South Africa and what experience they ask for.

Explore R50k+ careers →

More Security Engineer salary comparisons

Other careers people compare with Security Engineer salary in South Africa.

See full Security Engineer salary guide →

More Network Engineer salary comparisons

Other careers people compare with Network Engineer salary in South Africa.

See full Network Engineer salary guide →

Explore related salary guides

Related careers
Cybersecurity Analyst salaryR95 000Cloud Engineer salaryR125 000
Higher paying alternatives
Municipal Manager salary - higher earning pathR200 000Psychiatrist salary - higher earning pathR170 000
Easier entry careers
IT Support Technician salary - easier entry option3/10Bookkeeper salary - easier entry option3/10
Similar industry salaries
Technology career: Product Manager salaryTechnology career: Data Engineer salary
Popular career comparisons
Software Engineer vs Data Scientist salary in South AfricaAccountant vs Financial Analyst salary in South Africa
Explore more salary guides
how much Mobile App Developers earn in South Africahow much Backend Developers earn in South Africahow much Software Engineers earn in South Africahow much Developers earn in South Africahow much Machine Learning Engineers earn in South Africahow much Data Scientists earn in South Africa
Compare Related Share