Pay by Role
South Africa · Salary comparison

Physician vs Psychologist salary

In South Africa, a physician earns about 141% more than a psychologist $92,339 vs $38,342 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
$92,339/yr
Monthly
$7,693
Hourly
$44
Range
$59,097$132,969
10-yr outlook
+3%
Healthcare
Psychologist
$38,342/yr
Monthly
$3,198
Hourly
$18
Range
$26,265$53,104
10-yr outlook
+6%

Pay range, side by side

PercentilePhysicianPsychologist
Entry (10th)$59,097$26,265
25th$75,718$32,300
Median$92,339$38,342
75th$112,654$45,723
Senior (90th)$132,969$53,104

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a physician or psychologist earn more in South Africa?
A physician earns more, at about R 1 510 000 per year vs R 627 000 for a psychologist — roughly 141% (R 883 000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in South Africa?
A physician typically earns R 966 400–R 2 174 400, 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 physician averages about R 125 800 and a psychologist about R 52 300.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a physician earns about R 966 400 while a psychologist earns about R 429 500 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in South Africa, a physician earns about R 2 174 400 while a psychologist earns about R 868 400 per year.
Are physician 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.