Dental Hygienist vs Registered Nurse salary
In South Africa, a dental hygienist earns about 4% more than a registered nurse — $33,083 vs $31,799 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
Pays more
Healthcare
Dental Hygienist$33,083/yr
- Monthly
- $2,758
- Hourly
- $16
- Range
- $24,748–$43,271
- 10-yr outlook
- +9%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Dental Hygienist | Registered Nurse |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $24,748 | $23,213 |
| 25th | $28,913 | $27,506 |
| Median | $33,083 | $31,799 |
| 75th | $38,177 | $37,046 |
| Senior (90th) | $43,271 | $42,293 |
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 registered nurse earn more in South Africa?
- A dental hygienist earns more, at about R 541 000 per year vs R 520 000 for a registered nurse — roughly 4% (R 21 000) 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 registered nurse earns R 379 600–R 691 600 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 registered nurse about R 43 300.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a dental hygienist earns about R 404 700 while a registered nurse earns about R 379 600 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 registered nurse earns about R 691 600 per year.
- Are dental hygienist and registered nurse 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.