Lawyer / Attorney vs Computer Science Graduate
Salary Comparison.
Side-by-side monthly salary breakdown for South Africa in 2026 — entry to senior level, gross before tax.
Lawyer / Attorney earns 56% more than Computer Science Graduate
Median R 50 000/month vs R 32 000/month — a R 18 000/month difference
Lawyer / Attorney
R 600 000/year
127% above SA workforce median
Computer Science Graduate
R 384 000/year
45% above SA workforce median
Salary by experience level
| Level | Lawyer / Attorney | Computer Science Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level(0–2 yrs) | R 15 000 | R 16 000 |
| Mid-level(3–6 yrs) | R 50 000 | R 32 000 |
| Senior(7+ yrs) | R 130 000 | R 55 000 |
Median monthly gross before PAYE tax · South Africa 2026
Salary range comparison
Entry-level
Mid-level
Senior
Key differences
Lawyer / Attorney
Corporate transactional and regulatory law remains in demand, driven by M&A activity, FSCA regulation, and BEE compliance work. Employment law and commercial dispute resolution are consistently busy.
Computer Science Graduate
Computer science graduates remain in strong demand across all sectors, with cybersecurity and cloud engineering being particularly short-staffed in South Africa.
See your actual take-home pay
Enter any gross salary to calculate PAYE, UIF, and net pay after deductions.
Frequently asked questions
Which earns more — a Lawyer / Attorney or a Computer Science Graduate in South Africa?▾
A Lawyer / Attorney earns more on average. The median monthly salary for a Lawyer / Attorney is R 50 000/month, compared to R 32 000/month for a Computer Science Graduate — a difference of R 18 000/month (56% higher).
What is the Lawyer / Attorney salary in South Africa in 2026?▾
The median Lawyer / Attorney salary in South Africa is R 50 000/month gross in 2026. Entry-level positions pay R 10 000–R 22 000/month, mid-level pays R 35 000–R 70 000/month, and senior roles pay R 80 000–R 250 000/month.
What is the Computer Science Graduate salary in South Africa in 2026?▾
The median Computer Science Graduate salary in South Africa is R 32 000/month gross in 2026. Entry-level positions pay R 13 000–R 20 000/month, mid-level pays R 25 000–R 45 000/month, and senior roles pay R 45 000–R 75 000/month.
How do I calculate take-home pay for a Lawyer / Attorney or Computer Science Graduate?▾
Use the Rand Tools PAYE calculator. Enter the gross monthly salary and it will calculate your exact take-home pay after PAYE income tax, UIF (1% of gross, capped at R177.12/month), and any pension or medical aid contributions.