A real payslip showing the earnings of a junior application support engineer has sparked plenty of conversation on Lifereset with Boni (Boni Xaba) TikTok channel, with many people surprised by how much a junior role in technology can pay. The payslip shows a basic salary of R42,530, but the total earnings for the month came to R138,349.91. So, what caused such a big difference? The whopping R85 000 bonus and the years of work experience. This engineer only has two years of work experience with a Diploma in IT, and that’s what got people talking!
Breaking down the payslip:
The basic salary listed on the payslip is R42,530. In addition to this, the employee received several other payments:
- Travel allowance: R8,000
- Fuel allowance: R1,319.91
- Bonus: R85,000
- Cell/Data allowance: R1,500
The R85,000 bonus is the biggest reason the total earnings for this particular month were so high. This is an important distinction when looking at salary content online. A payslip showing total earnings of R138,349.91 does not necessarily mean the employee normally earns R138,349 every month.
The basic salary provides a better indication of the employee’s regular remuneration, while bonuses and allowances can significantly increase the amount paid in a particular month. You can view the real payslip below.
Why were people shocked?
The reaction online was largely driven by the word “junior”.
Many people associate junior technology positions with relatively low starting salaries. Seeing a payslip with more than R138,000 in total earnings therefore challenged some of those assumptions.
The discussion also highlights something important about technology careers: job titles don’t always tell the full story about someone’s compensation. Experience, employer, industry, location, technical skills, allowances, bonuses and the specific responsibilities attached to a role can all affect earnings.
What’s the difference between an application support engineer and a software developer?
Application Support Engineering and Software Development are both technology careers, but they involve different types of work.
- A software developer typically focuses on designing, building, testing and maintaining software applications. Programming is usually a major part of the job.
- An application support engineer, on the other hand, generally focuses on keeping applications working effectively. This can involve troubleshooting technical problems, investigating incidents, monitoring systems, assisting users and working with development or infrastructure teams to resolve issues.
Application support can therefore be a useful entry point into technology for someone who enjoys problem-solving and technology but isn’t necessarily starting out as a software developer.
Do you need a computer science degree?
Not necessarily, but there are no shortcuts!
The qualifications employers require vary considerably between companies and roles. Some positions may ask for a degree or diploma in information technology, computer science or a related field, while others may place greater emphasis on technical knowledge, certifications and practical experience. Skills such as SQL, Linux, databases, troubleshooting, cloud technologies, networking and understanding how applications work can be useful depending on the position.
This is why choosing a technology career should go beyond simply asking, “How much does it pay?”
The better question is, what does the job actually involve, and what skills do I need to become employable?
The bigger lesson from this payslip
This payslip is a good reminder that technology careers don’t follow one salary pattern. A “junior” title doesn’t automatically mean the same salary across every company, and one unusually high payslip shouldn’t be interpreted as the standard salary for everyone in that role. What it does show is that there are multiple pathways into technology, including application support, software development, data, cloud, cybersecurity and other technical careers. For anyone considering a move into tech, the focus should be on understanding the different career paths, building relevant skills and researching what employers are actually looking for.
One payslip can start the conversation. The real value is understanding the career behind it. Need more IT and tech salaries? See this video below!
You can email boni@liferesetwithboni.com to submit your payslip with the following details: years of experience, qualifications, industry and the job title.
Written by Admin
