Cyber Security Salary in South Africa in Rands
The profession of cyber security is among the most well-paid ones no matter which part of the world you reside in. The same is the case of cyber security jobs in South Africa.
For those who are about to enter the job market, you will be delighted to know that the cyber security salary in South Africa is ZAR 77083 per month. On the South African standard of salary and income, this amount is quite generous and can help an individual live a luxurious life in the country.
There is a lot more when it comes to cyber security jobs and cyber security salaries in the country. You will find all the information shared in detail in the article below. So, take out a few minutes from your day and give it a thorough reading!
Current Salary of Cyber Security Expert
Cyber security is one of the most well-paying jobs in South Africa. An entry-level job in this field pays approximately ZAR 360,000 per year. This makes the monthly salary ZAR 30,000.
However, if we talk about the payment of higher ranks, then we are looking at much bigger numbers. An experienced worker who is working at a higher level in cyber security salary in South Africa can easily make ZAR 8,875,200 per year. This makes his monthly salary approximately ZAR 739,600.
If we do a quick comparison to the basic salary of cyber security in America, there is a difference. The average salary of cyber security in the USA is $119,997 which makes around ZAR 2,280,980. This makes the average monthly salary ZAR 190,081.
The entry-level position offers $92,941 per year, which makes ZAR 1,766,682. The monthly salary is around ZAR 147,223, while in South Africa the monthly salary for entry-level positions is around ZAR 30,000.
Salary Levels
When it comes to cyber security, there are different levels. The chart below will help you understand different security grades salaries.
| Serial Number | Job Level | Salary Per Month | Salary Per Annum |
| 1. | Junior Security Analyst | ZAR 30,000 | ZAR 360,000 |
| 2. | Security Analyst | ZAR 52,083 | ZAR 625,000 |
| 3. | Cyber Security Engineer | ZAR 62,917 | ZAR 755,004 |
| 4. | Senior Security Analyst | ZAR 71,540 | ZAR 858,480 |
| 5. | Security Consultant | ZAR 88,103 | ZAR 1,057,243 |
| 6. | Security Architect | ZAR 80,000 | ZAR 960,000 |
| 7. | Cyber Security Manager | ZAR 83,578 | ZAR 1,002,944 |
| 8. | Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) | ZAR 116,114 | ZAR 1,393,368 |
| 9. | Penetration Tester (Ethical Hacker) | ZAR 400,000 | ZAR 4,800,000 |
| 10. | Security Auditor | ZAR 662,500 | ZAR 7,950,000 |
Professional Responsibilities
The main responsibility that a job in cyber security entails is looking for threats and risks in the network and software systems of companies. Moreover, they are also responsible for installing and monitoring the security systems to ensure that no threat enters the system.
Keeping an eye out for security breaches and monitoring the system on a daily basis also falls under the job responsibilities. Another part of this field is data encryption, and network and firewall management. Coming up with security policies and making sure they are followed also falls under the responsibilities of cyber security.
What Does The Salary of Cyber Security Depend Upon?
There are many factors that affect the salary of cyber security. The top of the list is the educational background of the individual. Moreover, the past work experience of the person also plays a role in affecting their salary.
In addition to that, the job role and ranking also affect the salary. For instance, a job as a junior analyst will pay less than the job of a senior analyst.
The size of the company that the person is working at also determines the salary level. Working at bigger companies will result in a bigger paycheck. Last but not least, the location of the company also affects the salary, as the companies that are located in bigger cities across South Africa will pay more than the ones located in smaller areas.
Does cyber security pay well in South Africa?
Yes, cyber security is among the few professions in South Africa that pay very generously. The person who is a part of this job can easily make more than ZAR 60,000 per month which is quite great.
Is cyber security in demand in South Africa?
Yes, cyber security is one of those fields that are high in demand in South Africa. The cyber crime rate in South Africa is staggeringly high, this in turn increases the demand for cyber security.
How much does a cyber security engineer earn in SA?
On average, a cyber security engineer makes around ZAR 771,317 per year. This makes his monthly salary approximately ZAR 64,276.
Are there differences in cyber security salaries based on the location within South Africa?
Yes, when cyber security salaries are in the country, the location does affect the amount. If a person is working in one of the main cities such as Cape Town, and Johannesburg etc, they are bound to make more than those who are working in smaller areas.
What factors influence the variation in cyber security salaries across different companies in South Africa?
There are several factors that play a direct role in the salaries across different companies. This includes the size of the company, the demand of the company in the market, the skill level required for the job, etc.
What qualifications are needed for cyber security in South Africa?
In order to pursue a career in cyber security, a person needs to have an IT degree. This includes a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or any other field of Information Technology.
Do individuals with specialized certifications, such as CISSP or CISM, earn higher salaries in the South African cyber security industry?
Yes, if a person has acquired specialized certificates along with their Bachelor’s degree, then they are definitely going to be on the upper side of the salary scale. The reason behind this is that they will be hired for a higher position rather than entry-level, due to their experience and specialization.
Are there gender-based salary disparities in the South African cyber security sector?
Yes, unfortunately like every other industry in South Africa, the cyber security sector is also plagued with gender-based salary disparities. The male workers tend to earn somewhere around 25% to 35% more than the female coworkers.
Cyber Security is among the top sought-after fields in South Africa for a reason. However, many individuals are unaware of the salary range that this field offers. Well, you can find out everything there is to know about cyber security salary in South Africa in the article above.
