Pay by Role
South Africa · Salary comparison

Occupational Therapist vs Pharmacist salary

In South Africa, a pharmacist earns about 50% more than a occupational therapist $51,429 vs $34,367 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
Occupational Therapist
$34,367/yr
Monthly
$2,862
Hourly
$17
Range
$25,708$44,953
10-yr outlook
+12%
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

PercentileOccupational TherapistPharmacist
Entry (10th)$25,708$39,859
25th$30,038$45,644
Median$34,367$51,429
75th$39,657$58,498
Senior (90th)$44,953$65,573

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a occupational therapist or pharmacist earn more in South Africa?
A pharmacist earns more, at about R 841 000 per year vs R 562 000 for a occupational therapist — roughly 50% (R 279 000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in South Africa?
A occupational therapist typically earns R 420 400–R 735 100, 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 occupational therapist averages about R 46 800 and a pharmacist about R 70 100.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a occupational therapist earns about R 420 400 while a pharmacist earns about R 651 800 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in South Africa, a occupational therapist earns about R 735 100 while a pharmacist earns about R 1 072 300 per year.
Are occupational therapist 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.