Pay by Role
South Africa · Salary comparison

Physician vs Veterinarian salary

In South Africa, a physician earns about 112% more than a veterinarian $92,339 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
$92,339/yr
Monthly
$7,693
Hourly
$44
Range
$59,097$132,969
10-yr outlook
+3%
Healthcare
Veterinarian
$43,479/yr
Monthly
$3,626
Hourly
$21
Range
$30,564$59,262
10-yr outlook
+19%

Pay range, side by side

PercentilePhysicianVeterinarian
Entry (10th)$59,097$30,564
25th$75,718$37,021
Median$92,339$43,479
75th$112,654$51,368
Senior (90th)$132,969$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 or veterinarian earn more in South Africa?
A physician earns more, at about R 1 510 000 per year vs R 711 000 for a veterinarian — roughly 112% (R 799 000) 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 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 averages about R 125 800 and a veterinarian about R 59 300.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a physician earns about R 966 400 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 earns about R 2 174 400 while a veterinarian earns about R 969 100 per year.
Are physician 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.