Pay by Role
South Africa · Salary comparison

Dental Hygienist vs Pharmacist salary

In South Africa, a pharmacist earns about 55% more than a dental hygienist $51,429 vs $33,083 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

Healthcare
Dental Hygienist
$33,083/yr
Monthly
$2,758
Hourly
$16
Range
$24,748$43,271
10-yr outlook
+9%
Pays more
Healthcare
Pharmacist
$51,429/yr
Monthly
$4,287
Hourly
$25
Range
$39,859$65,573
10-yr outlook
+3%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileDental HygienistPharmacist
Entry (10th)$24,748$39,859
25th$28,913$45,644
Median$33,083$51,429
75th$38,177$58,498
Senior (90th)$43,271$65,573

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a dental hygienist or pharmacist earn more in South Africa?
A pharmacist earns more, at about R 841 000 per year vs R 541 000 for a dental hygienist — roughly 55% (R 300 000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in South Africa?
A dental hygienist typically earns R 404 700–R 707 600, while a pharmacist earns R 651 800–R 1 072 300 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in South Africa?
On a monthly basis before tax, a dental hygienist averages about R 45 100 and a pharmacist about R 70 100.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a dental hygienist earns about R 404 700 while a pharmacist earns about R 651 800 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in South Africa, a dental hygienist earns about R 707 600 while a pharmacist earns about R 1 072 300 per year.
Are dental hygienist and pharmacist similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Healthcare 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.