Network Engineer Salary in South Africa

The demand for network engineers is increasing in South Africa as hundreds of seats are available for engineers in the IT and telecommunications sectors. The evolution of cutting-edge business trends gave birth to new jobs. It can help individuals earn thousands of rands monthly, and they are not required to exert tireless efforts in their work.

Occupation:	Network Engineer
Monthly Salary Range:	R 13441 – R 46525
Average Monthly Salary:	R 29983
Description:	A network engineer is responsible for developing and maintaining the computer networks within a company.
Minimum Qualification:	An individual requires an IT diploma and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Network Engineering.

Suppose you are uncertain whether the network engineering profession is worth joining. In that case, you should see the financial side of the position and investigate the fiscal forces shaping the economic framework of the profession. So, come with me to see all the details related to network engineering, the salary structure, factors that influence salary, and the responsibilities of an engineer.

Overview of Network Engineer Salary

The IT and telecommunication industries are progressing daily in the country. However, the number of experts, such as network engineers, is lacking; therefore, the demand for professionals has increased. When the demand for a profession is high, it directly raises the amount professionals earn monthly, and we can see that the salaries of network engineers have risen in the past few years.

Currently, the entry-level salary of a network engineer is R13,441, and the highest recorded income is R46,525 per month. According to a rough estimation, the average salary of a network engineer is approximately R29,325 per month, and the median amount is R31,570 monthly. The salary of a network engineer is 15.88% higher than the average income of a citizen in South Africa.

Extras

The income of a network engineer indeed surpasses the expectations of the candidates. But you are ignoring another advantage these engineers also get, such as bonuses, allowances, and facilities. For example, if an employee achieves a goal before the deadline, performs better than other workers, and does not take leave, he can get a bonus with his monthly pay.

Moreover, an employee receives a monthly allowance if an organization accomplishes a significant milestone. Lastly, they can get several facilities from authorities, such as free transportation, accommodation, healthcare services, and meals. A survey indicates that 33% of employees get extras while 67% of network engineers are deprived of facilities.

Salary Structure

The salary structure of a network engineer position is not complicated to understand compared to the other positions. Additionally, there is no ranking hierarchy regarding the network engineering position. However, some factors may influence your monthly income, such as experience, education, gender, or location.

Experience

Years of Experience	Monthly Income in Rands
0-2 Years	15,310
2-5 Years	20,440
5-10 Years	30,125
10-15 Years	36,685
15-20 Years	40,025
20+ Years	43,560

In this table, you can see that an employee’s income increases over time, accumulating with the years of his service. For instance, the income of 0 to 2 years of service experience is R15,310; from 2 to 5 years, it rises by 34% percent, R20,440. Furthermore, it increases by 48% between 5 and 10 years and 22% from 10 to 15 years of service.

The income of an employee increases by 9% and 8% from 15 to 20 years of service and after 20 years. If you can see the salary increment in the table, the salary rises gradually, then there is an immediate change from 2 to 15 years, and later it rises slowly from 15 to 20 years. The salary increment may vary from company to company.

Education

An employee’s income is based on the qualification, as shown in the table below. You can apply for the network engineering position after a diploma, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree. The table indicates that a Bachelor’s degree holder earns 57% more than a certificate holder, and a Master’s degree holder makes 68% compared to an employee recruited based on a Bachelor’s degree.

Education Level	Monthly Income in Rands
Certificate or Diploma	17,385
Bachelor’s Degree	27,275
Bachelor’s Degree	45,935

Other Factors

• Gender: Sadly, we are living in a country that still follows the rules of the colonial age when gender discrimination was legal. The income of a male network engineer is more than that of his female counterpart in the same sector. The survey indicates that a male takes 12% more than a female network engineer.
• Location: The location or city where you work is also an essential factor impacting your monthly money. For example, organizations in large metropolitan cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg pay more compared to companies located in small metropolitan cities such as Durban and Soweto.

Responsibilities of Network Engineer

Designing Network

The primary task of a network engineer is to design the computer networks by creating an architect. The purpose of an architect is to understand the complicacies a professional may face while implementing the network. Professionals take various approaches to solve issues and use different software or equipment to establish a network between two systems.

Maintenance

Once the network has been established, the next task of an engineer is to work on maintenance. He should use resources skillfully to keep the network working and eliminate all the factors that can cause the network to decay. The network engineer should monitor the performance and protect the network from all the risk factors that may cause trouble.

Troubleshooting

Another significant task of a network engineer is troubleshooting the problems in case the established network is not working. He may use different software and equipment or seek help from relevant institutes. A network engineer should have polished skills to diagnose the problem and its roots and implement solutions.

Security

Lastly, a network engineer should provide security services, including farewell, intrusion detection systems, and other security measures to prevent cyberattacks. Cyberattacks may disturb the information transfer and challenge the authenticity of the data; therefore, security is a significant part of his job.

FAQs

What are network engineers responsible for?

A network engineer is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and troubleshooting the network. He is also responsible for the security and safe data transfer.

Which language is required for a network engineer?

A network engineer may need to learn multiple languages like Python, Java, and Perl.

Does a network engineer need coding?

Basically, the network engineer does not need to learn coding for network establishment; coding skills are required for security, troubleshooting, and maintenance.

A network engineer should have skills to deal with problems such as establishing a network within an organization or two organizations. For this, he should have polished skills for establishing a network, but it is not the only challenge he faces as he has to manage maintenance, troubleshoot issues, and ensure security. A network engineer must also deal with topics such as documentation, coordination with other professionals, and skills to use the latest technologies.

It is true that the job of a network engineer is challenging and requires extra effort, but a professional also earns a handsome amount monthly. We should acknowledge their tireless struggles and appreciate the income they make. I hope this information will help you in the future; thank you.