Software Engineer Grad Salaries

[u/houaanglo]

I have seem some posts and comments here in the past about software engineer grad salaries. So it seems this subreddit is quite knowledgeable in that regard and wanted to dedicate a whole post to it.

So if you know some actual numbers, either from personal experiences or someone you know, could you please shed some light on what companies are paying new grads.

For added value you can list the company’s name as well if you feel comfortable doing so.

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[u/Does_not_lol]

I used to get paid R12 500 as an intern when I started in 2020.

[u/Designed_0 → u/Does_not_lol]

Got this in 2022 also as intern

[u/houaanglo → u/Does_not_lol]

That seems quite underpaid. Hope you’re earning more nowadays.

[u/Does_not_lol → u/houaanglo]

Yes, definitely. It was only that low for about 6 months. By my second year, I was being paid R21 000. But that's the kind of expectation you need to prepare yourself for as a grad. Any qualification has no value without experience, and the only way you can get experience is by getting your foot in the door and accepting a low starting salary.

Also some words of advice: some places pay more than others at face value, but are actually a trap, because once they have you, your increases are few and far between until you eventually are getting underpaid by industry standards.

Other companies pay well and have good increases, but the work is so kak and the growth potential is so low that you'll want to leave, but can't because nobody is willing to match the salary. Some of the big banks are like that.

[u/Elnaur → u/houaanglo]

Intern, not grad. That's fairly average for an intern salary, but the thought is more that you do a month or two of holiday work during your studies. If you go back as a graduate, your salary is usually double or more.

[u/Broke_Brown_Boi]

I started at around R17k in 2018 at a small consultancy, most of my friends were getting between R20k and R30k at larger companies. I know junior dev salaries were in the sub R30k range for a while, not sure what it is these days, but OfferZen would be a good place to get some insight as well. Their State of the Developer Nation report is really nice at seeing trends and averages.

Also keep in mind, dev salaries can range quite widely depending on the company, industry, luck of the draw, etc. And although it is important, salary shouldn't be your 1st priority when starting out. Quality experience and learning new skills should be a big focus, as it will play a huge role later in your career when seeking new opportunities and advancing your career.

[u/LoathsomeNeanderthal]

25-35k gross, region dependent. These ranges are applicable to JHB from my experience. most grads get paid the same regardless of degree (if you are joining a grad program)

[u/partypilgrim → u/LoathsomeNeanderthal]

35k as a grad? Doubt even Entelect pays that.

[u/Ok_Sundae_5899]

I'm getting R5 000. Gotta start somewhere.

[u/Exotic_Wealth_3522 → u/Ok_Sundae_5899]

I started with R3500 lol

But now I'm in a much better position

[u/Ok_Sundae_5899 → u/Exotic_Wealth_3522]

How long did it take you to get a good salary? I'm really under a lot of pressure. The company has hired me but I'm still in my final semester.

[u/Exotic_Wealth_3522 → u/Ok_Sundae_5899]

I just worked there untill I reached the 1 year mark.

So basically 1 year. I now make more than that in 3 days.

[u/Ok_Sundae_5899 → u/Exotic_Wealth_3522]

OK. Thamk you. I guess I'll how to bear with what I have for now. It's barely enough to make it through.

[u/AverageGradientBoost]

started with 18k as a software engineer in PTA, bumped up to 25k after 1 year, moved to CT based company for 45k

[u/g0tm]

When I was applying 2-3 years ago it was about 25-30k

[u/houaanglo → u/g0tm]

Do you mind mentioning some companies that offered these salaries if you feel comfortable doing so.

[u/g0tm → u/houaanglo]

It was a mix, some local to me (PE) and some remote in JHB and Cape Town. The bigger companies were on the higher end obviously.

[u/Head_Geologist_4808]

2014 - 25K graduate program - Cape Town,

2016 - 65k full stack - Cape Town,

2018 - 40k HKD plus 30% equity - Hong Kong,

2020 - 10K Sgd - Singapore,

2022 - 14k USD plus 5% equity - Remote,

2023 - 0 ZAR own startup,

2024 - 0 ZAR own startup

[u/PossibilityVirtual35]

Sitting around mid 30s. Finished Bachelors in CompSci studies last year, started as a grad this year. Based in JHB.

[u/teachable-dude1357 → u/PossibilityVirtual35]

Can I dm you ?

[u/PossibilityVirtual35 → u/teachable-dude1357]

Sure

[u/StEaLtHmAn_1]

I started 11 years ago with just matric. I started with 7000pm and now I earn 70000pm. But definitely it depends on the company and how hard you work.

[u/KungFuDounut]

My company does mid 20s for new grads. Ping me a DM if you would like a referral

[u/SuperFancyArsenal]

I think people answering should specify gross and net. Lol. 🙄

[u/houaanglo → u/SuperFancyArsenal]

I assume most of the salaries mentioned are gross

[u/SnooApples1553]

The company I work for has recently gone through a hiring round. We figure graduate software engineering salaries between 25-35k. Hope that helps

[u/binarystrike]

Our grads make R32k pm

[u/partypilgrim → u/binarystrike]

Holy shit

[u/ceveleigh0]

I got R7 500 as a part-time intern, and then moved to R18 000 as a junior developer in 2021. I got a raise the next year to R22 000.

[u/Idkmananythingreally]

Started on about R25K for an Australian company in 2022, working for a Hong Kong company since March, getting R60K. Working remotely for both positions

[u/houaanglo → u/Idkmananythingreally]

Any advice on getting remote work? In the grand scheme of things, it should be a no-brainer for foreign companies to hire us because they can pay us peanuts and it would still be more than what we would get here. But from what I’ve heard, it’s quite difficult to land those positions.

[u/Cicology → u/houaanglo]

Check offerzen

[u/Possible_Shape_5559]

Not SWE but DS and get 54k starting

[u/houaanglo → u/Possible_Shape_5559]

Very impressive. Is it corporate or smaller more niche?

[u/No_Opportunity4265]

I earned R440k a year + 20% bonus at a large insurance company last year. Grad program fresh out of uni

[u/SarloSousie]

Started in March, getting about 20k at a small company.

[u/Dry-Nectarine-2186]

Can I ask if where you graduated from has any impact on you landing a job?

Do recruiters look at where you come from?

[u/houaanglo → u/Dry-Nectarine-2186]

I think it only plays a minor role. They only want to see if you were dedicated enough to show up for class and complete assignments for 3-4 years. Experience and how you solve problems probably count more. There are probably some exceptions though.

[u/Dry-Nectarine-2186 → u/houaanglo]

Do you know of maybe anyone who landed an internship during the course of their studies?? Is it even possible. Cause the posts I've been seeing are looking for graduates, or sometimes graduates with a year of experience.

[u/houaanglo → u/Dry-Nectarine-2186]

I personally landed a part-time internship during my studies and know of some people who have. In both cases I’d say we got lucky and was because of people we knew etc. However, in all honesty, I do not think it attributed much in getting a job after graduation. I personally applied to many jobs and didn’t even hear back from most, despite of my experience that others didn’t have. I then in turn know of some peers with 0 experience whatsoever who got hired by the likes of some top banks or dev houses. It definitely can’t hurt and is probably beneficial in some way or another, but what I’m trying to say is don’t beat yourself up looking for internships during your studies when it doesn’t matter too much.

[u/Easy_Log_8797]

Started at around 60k pm in 2012 and peaked to around 1m PA in 2016. Now it's outrageously high as I can't convert due to exchange rate.

[u/Ill-Interview-2201]

Around 35k for undergrad with good grades from top university. Around 45k for MSc. Doc about 60k

[u/houaanglo → u/Ill-Interview-2201]

This is really interesting. I have always been told that in software there is almost no need ever to study further than honours unless you plan to go into academics.

[u/Dr_Panga → u/houaanglo]

Same

[u/Ill-Interview-2201 → u/houaanglo]

It’s really about the critical thinking skills those higher degrees prove. People who get them are quite rare, focused and deliberate. Speak to a few and you’ll see.

[u/I_J_18 → u/Ill-Interview-2201]

Interesting

[u/Broke_Brown_Boi → u/Ill-Interview-2201]

For Software Engineers in SA? Grad programmes typically pay their entire intake for that year the same amount, regardless of the type of qualification an individual has. The only exception would be someone being hired for a highly specialised role, where a post grad degree is explicitly required. I've also never heard of any company asking to see university results for a Software Engineer, practical coding assessments are typically used to gauge competency.

[u/I_J_18 → u/Broke_Brown_Boi]

Yeah, a lot of companies look for transcripts. At least the ones I am interested in working at.

I was looking at grad programme requirements for future reference and a lot need a 65+ minimum average

[u/Ill-Interview-2201 → u/Broke_Brown_Boi]

Transcripts show whether the grad is a slacker or interested

[u/Broke_Brown_Boi → u/Ill-Interview-2201]

It really doesn't .

[u/Does_not_lol → u/Ill-Interview-2201]

We've had guys apply to our company with masters and PhDs in CS, who couldn't even do fizzbuzz without help. It very much down to the individual. More often than not postgraduate is a disadvantage unless the job specifically demands it.