Home > Salary > South Africa > Mainframe Developer
A mainframe developer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software applications that run on mainframe computers. They work with large-scale, mission-critical systems that handle massive amounts of data and transactions. Mainframe developers write code in programming languages such as COBOL, PL/I, Assembler, and Java to create and modify software programs. They collaborate with business analysts and system architects to understand requirements and translate them into technical designs. Mainframe developers also conduct testing, debugging, and performance tuning to ensure the smooth functioning of applications.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 197,492 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 16,458 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 3,798 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 95 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 15,888 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 3,667 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 92 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-08
Estimated Yearly Salary: 9,882 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 824 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 190 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 5 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
4 %
Data confidence is - relatively high
Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Estimated Yearly Salary: 197,492 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 16,458 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 3,798 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 95 ZAR per hour
By working as Mainframe Developer a person can save up to 552 USD per month or 6,628 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Estimated Yearly Salary for Mainframe Developer
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Mainframe Developer salary in South Africa
Average Yearly Salary of Mainframe Developer in South Africa is approximately 197,492 ZAR (9,882 USD). Data is for 2025 and indicates a pre-tax value. The salary itself depends on multiple factors such as seniority, job performance, certifications, experience or any other bonuses. The value indicated is an average amount based on records we have in database. Real values may vary. The data is for orientational purposes.
What does Mainframe Developer do?

Skills: Mainframe developer, Software development, COBOL, PL/I, Assembler, Java
Job industry: Information technology
Job industry: Information technology
How much does Mainframe Developer make?
Salary details
How much does Mainframe Developer make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 197,492 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 16,458 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 3,798 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 95 ZAR per hour
Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 190,660 ZAREstimated Monthly Salary: 15,888 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 3,667 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 92 ZAR per hour
Mainframe Developer estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 9,882 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 824 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 190 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 5 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
About these results
Data confidence is - relatively high Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Compare salary to other countries
Please type in your occupation and select desired country to see latest trends in salaries.
Country:
Salary comparison to National average
South Africa is a diverse and vibrant country located at the southernmost tip of the African continent. It has a population of approximately 59 million people and covers an area of around 1.2 million square kilometers. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and abundant wildlife.
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Mainframe Developer job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Mainframe Developer in South Africa earns on average:
1.56 times the average salary (or 156% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Mainframe Developer job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Mainframe Developer in South Africa earns on average:
1.56 times the average salary (or 156% of average salary).
Is Mainframe Developer a well paid job?
Yes, our data shows that Mainframe Developer is a well paid job. With years and experience the salary might increase even further, resulting in higher satisfaction.What is considered a high salary for Mainframe Developer?
High salary for Mainframe Developer would be somewhere between 217,241 ZAR and 286,363 ZAR. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Mainframe Developer in South Africa?
Living in South Africa the approximate monthly expenses are: 271 USD. This amount covers basic needs such as food, housing, clothing, healthcare and education costs for a single person. No luxury expenses such as traveling, leisure, hobbies are included in the estimation.Estimated Yearly Salary: 197,492 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 16,458 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 3,798 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 95 ZAR per hour
By working as Mainframe Developer a person can save up to 552 USD per month or 6,628 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Salary comparison to region and neighbouring coutries
Country's neighbours are: Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, Lesotho. To make it easier for comparison a conversion from local currency to USD has been made (conversion rates may vary).Estimated Yearly Salary for Mainframe Developer
Salary increase per years of experience
Based on data available the salary increase per years of experience is as following- 0 years (beginner) equals base salary
- 1 to 5 years of experience yields
- 6 to 10 years of experience yields
- 11 to 15 years of experience yields
- 16 to 25 years of experience yields
- more than 25 years of experience yields
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Random salary:
Catering director (146,961 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Data security administrator (154,893 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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Trust administrator (130,757 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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