Pay by Role
South Africa · Salary comparison

Physician Assistant vs Veterinarian salary

In South Africa, a physician assistant earns about 24% more than a veterinarian $53,936 vs $43,479 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

Pays more
Healthcare
Physician Assistant
$53,936/yr
Monthly
$4,495
Hourly
$26
Range
$39,376$71,737
10-yr outlook
+27%
Healthcare
Veterinarian
$43,479/yr
Monthly
$3,626
Hourly
$21
Range
$30,564$59,262
10-yr outlook
+19%

Pay range, side by side

PercentilePhysician AssistantVeterinarian
Entry (10th)$39,376$30,564
25th$46,653$37,021
Median$53,936$43,479
75th$62,834$51,368
Senior (90th)$71,737$59,262

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a physician assistant or veterinarian earn more in South Africa?
A physician assistant earns more, at about R 882 000 per year vs R 711 000 for a veterinarian — roughly 24% (R 171 000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in South Africa?
A physician assistant typically earns R 643 900–R 1 173 100, while a veterinarian earns R 499 800–R 969 100 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in South Africa?
On a monthly basis before tax, a physician assistant averages about R 73 500 and a veterinarian about R 59 300.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a physician assistant earns about R 643 900 while a veterinarian earns about R 499 800 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in South Africa, a physician assistant earns about R 1 173 100 while a veterinarian earns about R 969 100 per year.
Are physician assistant and veterinarian 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.