Pay by Role
South Africa · Salary comparison

Dental Hygienist vs Psychiatrist salary

In South Africa, a psychiatrist earns about 198% more than a dental hygienist $98,454 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
Psychiatrist
$98,454/yr
Monthly
$8,207
Hourly
$47
Range
$67,444$136,363
10-yr outlook
+8%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileDental HygienistPsychiatrist
Entry (10th)$24,748$67,444
25th$28,913$82,946
Median$33,083$98,454
75th$38,177$117,405
Senior (90th)$43,271$136,363

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 psychiatrist earn more in South Africa?
A psychiatrist earns more, at about R 1 610 000 per year vs R 541 000 for a dental hygienist — roughly 198% (R 1 069 000) 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 psychiatrist earns R 1 102 900–R 2 229 900 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 psychiatrist about R 134 200.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a dental hygienist earns about R 404 700 while a psychiatrist earns about R 1 102 900 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 psychiatrist earns about R 2 229 900 per year.
Are dental hygienist and psychiatrist 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.