Pay by Role
South Africa · Salary comparison

Pharmacist vs Psychiatrist salary

In South Africa, a psychiatrist earns about 91% more than a pharmacist $98,454 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

Healthcare
Pharmacist
$51,429/yr
Monthly
$4,287
Hourly
$25
Range
$39,859$65,573
10-yr outlook
+3%
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

PercentilePharmacistPsychiatrist
Entry (10th)$39,859$67,444
25th$45,644$82,946
Median$51,429$98,454
75th$58,498$117,405
Senior (90th)$65,573$136,363

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a pharmacist or psychiatrist earn more in South Africa?
A psychiatrist earns more, at about R 1 610 000 per year vs R 841 000 for a pharmacist — roughly 91% (R 769 000) 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 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 pharmacist averages about R 70 100 and a psychiatrist about R 134 200.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a pharmacist earns about R 651 800 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 pharmacist earns about R 1 072 300 while a psychiatrist earns about R 2 229 900 per year.
Are pharmacist 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.