Pharmacist vs Physician Assistant salary
In South Africa, a physician assistant earns about 5% more than a pharmacist — $53,936 vs $51,429 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
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Healthcare
Physician Assistant$53,936/yr
- Monthly
- $4,495
- Hourly
- $26
- Range
- $39,376–$71,737
- 10-yr outlook
- +27%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Pharmacist | Physician Assistant |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $39,859 | $39,376 |
| 25th | $45,644 | $46,653 |
| Median | $51,429 | $53,936 |
| 75th | $58,498 | $62,834 |
| Senior (90th) | $65,573 | $71,737 |
National South Africa figures in ZAR. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Healthcare comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a pharmacist or physician assistant earn more in South Africa?
- A physician assistant earns more, at about R 882 000 per year vs R 841 000 for a pharmacist — roughly 5% (R 41 000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in South Africa?
- A pharmacist typically earns R 651 800–R 1 072 300, while a physician assistant earns R 643 900–R 1 173 100 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in South Africa?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a pharmacist averages about R 70 100 and a physician assistant about R 73 500.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a pharmacist earns about R 651 800 while a physician assistant earns about R 643 900 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in South Africa, a pharmacist earns about R 1 072 300 while a physician assistant earns about R 1 173 100 per year.
- Are pharmacist and physician assistant 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.