Pay by Role
Healthcare · South Africa

Optometrist Salary in South Africa

Optometrists examine eyes, diagnose vision problems, and prescribe corrective lenses. The South Africa median is $50,817 per year. Pick a city below for a local breakdown.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is ZAR). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

National median
$50,817
per year
Monthly (national)
$4,238
per month, before tax
Highest-paying city
$50,817
Cape Town, ZA
Hourly (national)
$24.43
varies by city

Optometrist salary by city in South Africa

CityPer year
Cape Town, ZA$50,817
Durban, ZA$50,817
Pretoria, ZA$50,817
Gqeberha, ZA$50,817
Pietermaritzburg, ZA$50,817
Bloemfontein, ZA$50,817
East London, ZA$50,817
Vereeniging, ZA$50,817
Welkom, ZA$50,817
Newcastle, ZA$50,817
Krugersdorp, ZA$50,817
Johannesburg, ZA$35,529

Optometrist salary in other countries

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Related Healthcare salaries in South Africa

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Frequently asked questions

How much does a optometrist make in South Africa?
The national median optometrist salary in South Africa is about R 831 000 per year (R 69 300 per month). Across 12 cities, pay ranges from about R 581 000 to R 831 000.
Which South Africa city pays optometrists the most?
Cape Town, ZA pays the most at about R 831 000 per year.
Which South Africa city pays optometrists the least?
Among cities we cover, Johannesburg, ZA is on the lower end at about R 581 000 per year for a optometrist.
What is the typical salary range for a optometrist in South Africa?
Across South Africa cities we cover, optometrist pay commonly spans from about R 411 000 at the entry end in lower-paying markets up to about R 1 105 200 for senior pay in higher-paying cities. Open a city page for the full local percentile band.
How many South Africa cities have optometrist salary data?
Pay by Role publishes optometrist pay for 12 cities in South Africa, all shown in ZAR.
Is optometrist in demand in South Africa?
Employment for this role is projected to change by about +9% over the next decade. Related healthcare roles on Pay by Role include Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician.