Cyber Security Salary in South Africa

Cyber Security Salary in South Africa
June 14, 2025 Comments Off on Cyber Security Salary in South AfricaCyber Security Salary in South Africa
Cyber Security average salary in South Africa, 2025
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Experience:More experienced professionals generally command higher salaries.
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Location:Salaries can vary depending on the city, with Pretoria and Johannesburg North appearing to offer higher salaries than other regions like Midrand and Johannesburg, according to Indeed.
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Role:Specific roles within cybersecurity, such as Cloud Cyber Security Analysts, may have different salary expectations.
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Skills:Possessing specialized skills and certifications can increase earning potential.
- Entry-level Cloud Cyber Security Analysts in South Africa can expect to earn a median salary of ZAR 300k per year, according to himalayas.app.
- Some sources indicate entry-level salaries for cybersecurity professionals starting at R324,012 per year.
- In addition to cybersecurity roles, other high-paying IT positions in South Africa include Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Head of Project Management Office, and Business Intelligence Manager.
- The salary range for cybersecurity specialists can vary significantly, with some experienced workers earning up to R8,040,000 per year.
- Entry-level positions may fall within the range of R300k to R360k per year.
- The South African cybersecurity job market is experiencing significant growth, with an expected 20% job increase by 2025.
- Cybersecurity professionals are in high demand, and organizations are increasingly prioritizing digital security, according to School of IT.
- Many cybersecurity positions offer six-figure salaries.

Cybersecurity salaries in South Africa vary depending on the role, experience, and location. Here are some average salaries for different cybersecurity positions in South Africa:
- Entry-Level Positions:
- Cybersecurity Analyst: R300,000 – R500,000 per year
This role typically involves monitoring systems for security breaches and responding to incidents.
- Cybersecurity Analyst: R300,000 – R500,000 per year
- Mid-Level Positions:
- Security Consultant: R500,000 – R800,000 per year
Security consultants assess vulnerabilities in systems and recommend measures to mitigate risks.
- Security Consultant: R500,000 – R800,000 per year
- Senior-Level Positions:
- Security Architect: R800,000 – R1,200,000 per year
This role focuses on designing secure systems and networks, requiring extensive experience.
- Security Architect: R800,000 – R1,200,000 per year
- Specialized Roles:
- Penetration Tester (Ethical Hacker): R600,000 – R1,000,000 per year
Penetration testers simulate attacks to identify vulnerabilities within systems.
- Penetration Tester (Ethical Hacker): R600,000 – R1,000,000 per year
- Management Positions:
- Chief Information Security Officer (CISO): R1,200,000 – R2,000,000+ per year
A CISO is responsible for overseeing an organization’s cybersecurity strategy and policies.
- Chief Information Security Officer (CISO): R1,200,000 – R2,000,000+ per year
Factors like certifications (CISSP, CEH, CompTIA Security+), the size of the company, and geographical location (urban centers like Johannesburg and Cape Town typically offer higher salaries) can also influence earning potential.
Overall, the cybersecurity field in South Africa presents lucrative opportunities, especially as organizations increasingly prioritize digital security.
Factors that can impact salary levels include:
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IndustryIndustries that deal with sensitive information, such as finance, healthcare, and government, tend to offer higher salaries.
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LocationJohannesburg, Gauteng is one of the highest paying cities for cybersecurity analysts in South Africa.
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Technology sectorCountries with advanced technology sectors and a strong emphasis on cybersecurity tend to pay higher salaries.
Conclusion
Overall if you solving problems, and need to actually understand security and networking, then a career in IT is for you! Thus with School of IT, you can become a internationally recognized and accredited after completing a Cyber Security related course in under 3 to 6 months!
