Updated 2026High demand
Network Engineer salary in South Africa
Designs, configures and maintains business networks, connectivity, routing and security infrastructure.
Expect R22 000 – R90 000/month, with top earners reaching R135 000+.
Salary breakdown
Entry
R22 000–R38 000
per month · up to R456 000/year
Mid
R58 000
per month · up to R696 000/year
Senior
R90 000
per month · up to R1 080 000/year
Top 20% earn R135 000+ per month in senior, specialist or leadership roles.
You may be underpaid. If you earn below R58 000, you are below market average.
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Market midpointR58 000
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Earning potential
Network Engineer pay is shaped by high demand, employer budgets and the depth of proven skill. Scarce skills in technology roles can lift senior pay quickly when experience is strong.
Compare careers by salaryComparison
Network Engineer vs Cybersecurity Analyst
Network EngineerR90 000
Cybersecurity AnalystR95 000
Higher salary: Cybersecurity Analyst
+R5 000/month difference
Easier entry: Network Engineer
Full salary viewCompare in detail →Network Engineer vs Software Engineer
Network EngineerR90 000
Software EngineerR90 000
Higher salary: Network Engineer
+R0/month difference
Better for long-term growth
Full salary viewCompare in detail →Network Engineer vs Developer
Network EngineerR90 000
DeveloperR90 000
Higher salary: Network Engineer
+R0/month difference
Better for long-term growth
Full salary viewCompare in detail →Network Engineer vs Backend Developer
Network EngineerR90 000
Backend DeveloperR95 000
Higher salary: Backend Developer
+R5 000/month difference
Easier entry: Network Engineer
Full salary viewCompare in detail →Network Engineer vs Mobile App Developer
Network EngineerR90 000
Mobile App DeveloperR95 000
Higher salary: Mobile App Developer
+R5 000/month difference
Easier entry: Network Engineer
Full salary viewCompare in detail →Recommended
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Career progression
Skills / requirements
Selected skill
Routing / switching
+R10 440/mo
Estimated salary impact for strong, job-ready capability.
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Demand
Network Engineer demand score8/10
Difficulty
Network Engineer difficulty score7/10
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FAQ
What does a network engineer earn in SA?+
Network engineers usually earn R22 000-R90 000/month, with architects and infrastructure leads earning more.
Is network engineering in demand?+
Yes. Connectivity, cloud migration and security needs keep network skills relevant.
Which certifications help?+
Cisco, Fortinet, Juniper and cloud networking certifications can improve job options.
Can network engineers move into cybersecurity?+
Yes. Networking is one of the strongest foundations for cybersecurity careers.
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