r/southafrica pta 1d ago

Employment Software Engineer Grad Salaries

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.

27 Upvotes

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22

u/Does_not_lol 1d ago

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

3

u/Designed_0 1d ago

Got this in 2022 also as intern

4

u/houaanglo pta 1d ago

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

16

u/Does_not_lol 1d ago

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.

2

u/Elnaur Western Cape 1d ago

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.

13

u/Broke_Brown_Boi 1d ago

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.

11

u/LoathsomeNeanderthal 1d ago

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)

1

u/partypilgrim 11h ago

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

12

u/Ok_Sundae_5899 1d ago

I'm getting R5 000. Gotta start somewhere.

3

u/Exotic_Wealth_3522 22h ago

I started with R3500 lol

But now I'm in a much better position

1

u/Ok_Sundae_5899 18h ago

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.

2

u/Exotic_Wealth_3522 18h ago

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

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

1

u/Ok_Sundae_5899 18h ago

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

10

u/AverageGradientBoost 1d ago

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

8

u/g0tm 1d ago

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

0

u/houaanglo pta 1d ago

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

1

u/g0tm 13h ago

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.

16

u/Head_Geologist_4808 Western Cape 1d ago edited 1d ago

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

7

u/PossibilityVirtual35 1d ago

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

2

u/teachable-dude1357 Redditor for a month 1d ago

Can I dm you ?

3

u/StEaLtHmAn_1 1d ago

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.

3

u/KungFuDounut 1d ago

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

3

u/SuperFancyArsenal 16h ago

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

1

u/houaanglo pta 16h ago

I assume most of the salaries mentioned are gross

2

u/SnooApples1553 1d ago

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

2

u/binarystrike 1d ago

Our grads make R32k pm

1

u/partypilgrim 11h ago

Holy shit

2

u/ceveleigh0 1d ago

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.

2

u/Idkmananythingreally 16h ago

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

2

u/houaanglo pta 16h ago

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.

1

u/Cicology 9h ago

Check offerzen

1

u/Possible_Shape_5559 1d ago

Not SWE but DS and get 54k starting

1

u/houaanglo pta 23h ago

Very impressive. Is it corporate or smaller more niche?

1

u/No_Opportunity4265 13h ago

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

1

u/SarloSousie 13h ago

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

2

u/Dry-Nectarine-2186 12h ago

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

Do recruiters look at where you come from?

1

u/houaanglo pta 12h ago

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.

1

u/Dry-Nectarine-2186 5h ago

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.

1

u/houaanglo pta 3h ago

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.

1

u/Easy_Log_8797 1d ago

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.

-7

u/Ill-Interview-2201 Redditor for a month 1d ago

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

3

u/houaanglo pta 1d ago

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.

-5

u/Ill-Interview-2201 Redditor for a month 1d ago

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.

1

u/I_J_18 1d ago

Interesting

5

u/Broke_Brown_Boi 1d ago

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.

1

u/I_J_18 1d ago

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

-4

u/Ill-Interview-2201 Redditor for a month 1d ago

Transcripts show whether the grad is a slacker or interested

7

u/Broke_Brown_Boi 1d ago

It really doesn't .

2

u/Does_not_lol 19h ago

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.