Pay by Role
South Africa · Salary comparison

Optometrist vs Radiologist salary

In South Africa, a radiologist earns about 117% more than a optometrist $110,073 vs $50,817 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
Optometrist
$50,817/yr
Monthly
$4,238
Hourly
$24
Range
$37,095$67,585
10-yr outlook
+9%
Pays more
Healthcare
Radiologist
$110,073/yr
Monthly
$9,173
Hourly
$53
Range
$72,428$156,084
10-yr outlook
+5%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileOptometristRadiologist
Entry (10th)$37,095$72,428
25th$43,956$91,251
Median$50,817$110,073
75th$59,201$133,079
Senior (90th)$67,585$156,084

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a optometrist or radiologist earn more in South Africa?
A radiologist earns more, at about R 1 800 000 per year vs R 831 000 for a optometrist — roughly 117% (R 969 000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in South Africa?
A optometrist typically earns R 606 600–R 1 105 200, while a radiologist earns R 1 184 400–R 2 552 400 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in South Africa?
On a monthly basis before tax, a optometrist averages about R 69 300 and a radiologist about R 150 000.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a optometrist earns about R 606 600 while a radiologist earns about R 1 184 400 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in South Africa, a optometrist earns about R 1 105 200 while a radiologist earns about R 2 552 400 per year.
Are optometrist and radiologist 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.