Pay by Role
South Africa · Salary comparison

Biomedical Engineer vs Chemical Engineer salary

In South Africa, a chemical engineer earns about 8% more than a biomedical engineer $42,990 vs $39,932 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is ZAR). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Engineering
Biomedical Engineer
$39,932/yr
Monthly
$3,327
Hourly
$19
Range
$26,992$55,746
10-yr outlook
+7%
Pays more
Engineering
Chemical Engineer
$42,990/yr
Monthly
$3,583
Hourly
$21
Range
$29,059$60,014
10-yr outlook
+10%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileBiomedical EngineerChemical Engineer
Entry (10th)$26,992$29,059
25th$33,462$36,025
Median$39,932$42,990
75th$47,839$51,502
Senior (90th)$55,746$60,014

National South Africa figures in ZAR. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Engineering comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a biomedical engineer or chemical engineer earn more in South Africa?
A chemical engineer earns more, at about R 703 000 per year vs R 653 000 for a biomedical engineer — roughly 8% (R 50 000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in South Africa?
A biomedical engineer typically earns R 441 400–R 911 600, while a chemical engineer earns R 475 200–R 981 400 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in South Africa?
On a monthly basis before tax, a biomedical engineer averages about R 54 400 and a chemical engineer about R 58 600.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a biomedical engineer earns about R 441 400 while a chemical engineer earns about R 475 200 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in South Africa, a biomedical engineer earns about R 911 600 while a chemical engineer earns about R 981 400 per year.
Are biomedical engineer and chemical engineer similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Engineering category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.