Optometrist Average Salary in South Africa 2024
How much money does a person working as Optometrist make in South Africa?
LOW
35,000
ZAR AVERAGE
71,400
ZAR HIGH
111,000
ZAR
A person working as Optometrist in South Africa typically earns around 71,400 ZAR. Salaries range from 35,000 ZAR (lowest) to 111,000 ZAR (highest).
Salary Variance
This is the average salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Optometrist salaries in South Africa vary drastically based on experience, skills, gender, or location. Below you will find a detailed breakdown based on many different criteria.
Optometrist Pay Scale and Salaries in South Africa
Salary Structure and Pay Scale Comparison
66,200 ZAR or more
58,500 to 66,200 ZAR
41,500 ZAR or less
41,500 to 58,500 ZAR
 35,000 ZAR |
66,600 ZAR |
111,000 ZAR |
Median Salary, maximum and minimum salary, minimum wage, starting salary, and the salary range
Salary Range, Minimum Wage, and Starting Salary
Salaries for the position Optometrist in South Africa range from 35,000 ZAR (starting salary) to 111,000 ZAR (maximum salary). It should be noted that the given figure is not the legally mandated minimum wage; rather, it represents the lowest figure reported in a salary survey that included thousands of participants and professionals from all regions of the country.
Median Salary
With a median salary of 66,600 ZAR, half of the professionals who work as Optometrist in South Africa earn less than this amount, and the other half earn more. The median salary denotes the middle value of salaries. Ideally, you would want to belong to the group earning more than the median salary, located on the right side of the salary distribution graph.
Percentiles and Salary Scale
The median is closely associated with two other values known as the 25th and 75th percentiles. By examining the salary distribution chart, it can be determined that 25% of professionals employed as Optometrist in South Africa earn less than 54,400 ZAR, while 75% earn more. Similarly, the chart shows that 75% earn less than 76,100 ZAR while 25% earn more.
Pay Scale Structure
To provide a better understanding of expected salaries, we categorized the frequently occurring salaries into different ranges. This approach provides a more precise representation of salary distribution for the job title Optometrist in South Africa compared to simply calculating the average. The majority of reported salaries, approximately 65%, fall within the range of 41,500 ZAR to 58,500 ZAR. About 20% of salaries are below the 41,500 ZAR mark, while 10% fall within the range of 58,500 ZAR to 66,200 ZAR. Only 5% of individuals have salaries exceeding 66,200 ZAR.
Salary Comparison by Years of Experience / Optometrist / South Africa
How do experience and age affect pay?
| 0 - 2 Years | 41,500 ZAR | |
| 2 - 5 Years | +29% | 53,300 ZAR |
| 5 - 10 Years | +38% | 73,500 ZAR |
| 10 - 15 Years | +24% | 91,100 ZAR |
| 15 - 20 Years | +7% | 97,600 ZAR |
| 20+ Years | +7% | 104,000 ZAR |
The experience level is the most important factor in determining the salary. Naturally, the more years of experience the higher the wage. We broke down salaries by experience level for people working as Optometrist and this is what we found.
Employees with less than two years of experience earn approximately 41,500 ZAR.
While someone with an experience level between two and five years is expected to earn 53,300 ZAR, 29% more than someone with less than two year's experience.
Moving forward, an experience level between five and ten years lands a salary of 73,500 ZAR, 38% more than someone with two to five years of experience.
Additionally, professionals whose expertise span anywhere between ten and fifteen years get a salary equivalent to 91,100 ZAR, 24% more than someone with five to ten years of experience.
If the experience level is between fifteen and twenty years, then the expected wage is 97,600 ZAR, 7% more than someone with ten to fifteen years of experience.
Lastly, employees with more than twenty years of professional experience get a salary of 104,000 ZAR, 7% more than people with fifteen to twenty years of experience.
Typical Salary Progress for Most Careers
Salary and Compensation Comparison By Gender / Optometrist / South Africa
Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? For the people who work as Optometrist in South Africa, the average difference between the salary of male and female employees is 8%.
| Male | 73,700 ZAR | |
| Female | -7% | 68,300 ZAR |
Salary Comparison By Gender in South Africa for all Careers
Average Annual Salary Increment Percentage / Optometrist / South Africa
How much are annual salary increments in South Africa for individuals working as Optometrist? How often do employees get salary raises?
Individuals working as Optometrist in South Africa are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 13% every 17 months. The national average annual increment for all professions combined is 8% granted to employees every 18 months.
South Africa / All Professions
The term Annual Salary Increase usually refers to the increase in 12 calendar month period, but because it is rare that people get their salaries reviewed exactly on the one-year mark, it is more meaningful to know the frequency and the rate at the time of the increase.
How to calculate the salary increment percentage?
The annual salary Increase in a calendar year (12 months) can be easily calculated as follows: Annual Salary Increase = Increase Rate x 12 / Increase Frequency
Worldwide Salary Raises: All Countries and All Jobs
Salary Packages and Schemes
Not all compensation increases are reflected directly in the salary. Some companies offer upgraded packages to their staff instead of cash money. The figures displayed here account only for direct increments to the base salary.
Bonus and Incentive Rates / Optometrist / South Africa
How much and how often are bonuses being awarded?
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17% of surveyed staff reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 83% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.
Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 5% to 9% of their annual salary.
| Received Bonus | 83% | |
| No Bonus | 17% |
Types of Bonuses Considered
Individual Performance-Based BonusesThe most standard form of bonus, where the employee is awarded based on their exceptional performance.
Company Performance BonusesOccasionally, some companies like to celebrate excess earnings and profits with their staff collectively in the form of bonuses that are granted to everyone. The amount of the bonus will probably be different from person to person depending on their role within the organization.
Goal-Based BonusesGranted upon achieving an important goal or milestone.
Holiday / End of Year BonusesThese types of bonuses are given without a reason and usually resemble an appreciation token.
Bonuses Are Not Commissions!
People tend to confuse bonuses with commissions. A commission is a prefixed rate at which someone gets paid for items sold or deals completed while a bonus is in most cases arbitrary and unplanned.
What makes a position worthy of good bonuses and a high salary?
The main two types of jobs | |
| Revenue Generators | Supporting Cast |
Employees that are directly involved in generating revenue or profit for the organization. Their field of expertise usually matches the type of business. | Employees that support and facilitate the work of revenue generators. Their expertise is usually different from that of the core business operations. |
Example: | Example: |
Revenue generators usually get more and higher bonuses, higher salaries, and more frequent salary increments. The reason is quite simple: it is easier to quantify your value to the company in monetary terms when you participate in revenue generation.
Bonus Comparison by Seniority Level
Top management personnel and senior employees naturally exhibit higher bonus rates and frequencies than juniors. This is very predictable due to the inherent responsibilities of being higher in the hierarchy. People in top positions can easily get double or triple bonus rates than employees down the pyramid.
Average Hourly Wage / Optometrist / South Africa
410 ZAR per hourThe average hourly wage (pay per hour) for individuals working as Optometrist in South Africa is 410 ZAR.This is the rate they get paid for every worked hour.
About The Hourly Pay Rate
The hourly wage is the salary paid in one worked hour. Usually, jobs are classified into two categories: salaried jobs and hourly jobs. Salaried jobs pay a fixed amount regardless of the hours worked. Hourly jobs pay per worked hour. To convert salary into hourly wage the above formula is used (assuming 5 working days in a week and 8 working hours per day which is the standard for most jobs). The hourly wage calculation may differ slightly depending on the worked hours per week and the annual vacation allowance. The figures mentioned above are good approximations and are considered to be the standard. One major difference between salaried employees and hourly paid employees is overtime eligibility. Salaried employees are usually exempt from overtime as opposed to hourly paid staff.
What is the minimum hourly rate of pay?
The minimum pay rate per hour for people working as Optometrist in South Africa is 200 ZAR. This is the minimum as per the gathered data in the salary survey not the minimum hourly rate mandated by law.
Salary comparison with similar jobs
| Job Title | Average Salary |
| Health and Medical |  -100% | |
| Advanced Nutrition Aide | 46,100 ZAR | -35% |
| Advanced Practice Provider | 43,700 ZAR | -39% |
| Allergist | 62,200 ZAR | -13% |
| Assistant Pathologist | 45,300 ZAR | -37% |
| Behavioral Health Specialist | 34,900 ZAR | -51% |
| Cardiac Sonographer | 37,500 ZAR | -47% |
| Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist | 130,000 ZAR |  +82% |
| Cardiovascular Perfusionist | 83,600 ZAR | +17% |
| Chiropractor | 40,200 ZAR | -44% |
| Clinical Psychologist | 105,000 ZAR | +47% |
| Correctional Treatment Specialist | 60,500 ZAR | -15% |
| Counseling Psychologist | 76,800 ZAR | +8% |
| Dermatologist | 100,000 ZAR | +40% |
| Diabetologist | 67,800 ZAR | -5% |
| Dietitian | 61,300 ZAR | -14% |
| Doctor | 82,500 ZAR | +16% |
| Emergency and Critical Care Consultant | 83,200 ZAR | +17% |
| Emergency Department Physician | 74,900 ZAR | +5% |
| Exercise Physiologist | 79,200 ZAR | +11% |
| Forensic Pathologist | 88,000 ZAR | +23% |
| General Medical Practitioner | 61,400 ZAR | -14% |
| Genetic Counselor | 54,400 ZAR | -24% |
| Healthcare Practitioner | 62,800 ZAR | -12% |
| Internist | 102,000 ZAR | +43% |
| Interventionist | 98,400 ZAR | +38% |
| Invasive Cardiologist | 131,000 ZAR | +84% |
| Lifestyle Medicine Expert | 50,200 ZAR | -30% |
| Medical Massage Therapist | 35,900 ZAR | -50% |
| Mental Health Therapst | 55,200 ZAR | -23% |
| Naturopathic Physician | 96,000 ZAR | +34% |
| Neurologist | 98,500 ZAR | +38% |
| Neurophysiology Technologist | 27,900 ZAR | -61% |
| Neuroscientist | 97,200 ZAR | +36% |
| Nuclear Medicine Physician | 83,900 ZAR | +18% |
| Obstetrician / Gynecologist | 89,700 ZAR | +26% |
| Occupational Health Safety Specialist | 45,600 ZAR | -36% |
| Ophthalmologist | 71,200 ZAR | -0% |
| Optometrist | 71,400 ZAR | +0% |
| Pediatrician | 74,600 ZAR | +5% |
| Physical Therapist | 54,200 ZAR | -24% |
| Physical Therapy Director | 62,600 ZAR | -12% |
| Physician - Anesthesiology | 117,000 ZAR | +64% |
| Physician - Cardiology | 125,000 ZAR | +75% |
| Physician - CCU | 71,200 ZAR | -0% |
| Physician - Dermatology | 101,000 ZAR | +42% |
| Physician - Emergency Room | 75,500 ZAR | +6% |
| Physician - Endocrinology | 96,600 ZAR | +35% |
| Physician - Family Practice | 67,200 ZAR | -6% |
| Physician - Gastroenterology | 91,300 ZAR | +28% |
| Physician - Generalist | 73,300 ZAR | +3% |
| Physician - Geriatrics | 63,200 ZAR | -11% |
| Physician - Hematology / Oncology | 88,600 ZAR | +24% |
| Physician - Immunology / Allergy | 101,000 ZAR | +42% |
| Physician - Infectious Disease | 86,700 ZAR | +21% |
| Physician - Internal Medicine | 106,000 ZAR | +49% |
| Physician - Maternal / Fetal Medicine | 84,800 ZAR | +19% |
| Physician - Nephrology | 104,000 ZAR | +46% |
| Physician - Neurology | 104,000 ZAR | +46% |
| Physician - Nuclear Medicine | 88,400 ZAR | +24% |
| Physician - Obstetrics / Gynecology | 93,600 ZAR | +31% |
| Physician - Occupational Medicine | 72,400 ZAR | +1% |
| Physician - Ophthalmology | 61,700 ZAR | -14% |
| Physician - Otolaryngology | 57,900 ZAR | -19% |
| Physician - Pain Medicine | 54,100 ZAR | -24% |
| Physician - Pathology | 68,900 ZAR | -3% |
| Physician - Pediatric Cardiology | 85,200 ZAR | +19% |
| Physician - Pediatric Neonatology | 81,400 ZAR | +14% |
| Physician - Pediatrics | 73,800 ZAR | +3% |
| Physician - Physiatry | 80,400 ZAR | +13% |
| Physician - Podiatry | 73,900 ZAR | +4% |
| Physician - Pulmonary Medicine | 58,400 ZAR | -18% |
| Physician - Radiation Therapy | 95,900 ZAR | +34% |
| Physician - Radiology | 96,000 ZAR | +34% |
| Physician - Rheumatology | 84,800 ZAR | +19% |
| Physician - Sports Medicine | 84,100 ZAR | +18% |
| Physician - Urology | 109,000 ZAR | +53% |
| Physician Assistant | 50,900 ZAR | -29% |
| Physiotherapist | 56,900 ZAR | -20% |
| Podiatrist | 63,500 ZAR | -11% |
| Preventive Medicine Physician | 73,600 ZAR | +3% |
| Psychiatrist | 84,400 ZAR | +18% |
| Psychololgist | 83,100 ZAR | +16% |
| Psychometrician | 71,300 ZAR | -0% |
| Public Health Physician | 61,200 ZAR | -14% |
| Pulmonologist | 76,600 ZAR | +7% |
| Radiologist | 88,500 ZAR | +24% |
| Registered Dietitian | 65,500 ZAR | -8% |
| Registered Respiratory Therapist | 50,800 ZAR | -29% |
| Skin Care Specialist | 49,700 ZAR | -30% |
| Telemedicine Physician | 58,200 ZAR | -18% |
| Urologist | 108,000 ZAR | +51% |
| Virtual / Augmented Reality Therapist | 32,700 ZAR | -54% |
| Vision Rehabilitation Therapist | 51,000 ZAR | -29% |
Government vs Private Sector Salary Comparison
Where can you get paid more, working in a private company or the government? The difference between the public or government sector salaries and the private sector salaries in South Africa is 7% on average across all career fields.
| Private Sector | 30,400 ZAR | |
| Public Sector | +7% | 32,400 ZAR |
Salary Statistics and Calculation Guide
What is considered to be a good and competitive salary for the job title Optometrist in South Africa?
A good and competitive compensation would range anywhere between 66,600 ZAR and 76,100 ZAR. This is a very rough estimate. Experience and education play a very huge part in the final earnings.
Gross Salary (before tax) and Net Salary (after tax)
All salary and compensation figures displayed here are gross salary figures, that is the salary before tax deductions. Because taxes may differ across sectors and locations, it is difficult to accurately calculate the net salary after tax for every career.
Base / Basic Salary
The base salary for a careers like Optometrist in South Africa ranges from 35,000 ZAR to 54,400 ZAR. The base salary depends on many factors including experience and education. It is not easy to provide a figure with very little information, so take this range with a grain of salt.
What is the difference between the median and the average salary?
Both are indicators. If your salary is higher than both the average and the median then you are doing very well. If your salary is lower than both, then many people earn more than you and there is plenty of room for improvement. If your wage is between the average and the median, then things can be a bit complicated. We wrote a guide to explain all about the different scenarios. How to compare your salary
