Pay by Role
South Africa · Salary comparison

Physical Therapist vs Psychologist salary

In South Africa, a psychologist earns about 8% more than a physical therapist $38,342 vs $35,407 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
Physical Therapist
$35,407/yr
Monthly
$2,954
Hourly
$17
Range
$26,485$46,310
10-yr outlook
+15%
Pays more
Healthcare
Psychologist
$38,342/yr
Monthly
$3,198
Hourly
$18
Range
$26,265$53,104
10-yr outlook
+6%

Pay range, side by side

PercentilePhysical TherapistPsychologist
Entry (10th)$26,485$26,265
25th$30,943$32,300
Median$35,407$38,342
75th$40,862$45,723
Senior (90th)$46,310$53,104

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a physical therapist or psychologist earn more in South Africa?
A psychologist earns more, at about R 627 000 per year vs R 579 000 for a physical therapist — roughly 8% (R 48 000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in South Africa?
A physical therapist typically earns R 433 100–R 757 300, while a psychologist earns R 429 500–R 868 400 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in South Africa?
On a monthly basis before tax, a physical therapist averages about R 48 300 and a psychologist about R 52 300.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a physical therapist earns about R 433 100 while a psychologist earns about R 429 500 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in South Africa, a physical therapist earns about R 757 300 while a psychologist earns about R 868 400 per year.
Are physical therapist and psychologist 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.