The average Biochemist salary in South Africa is R67,000.00 per month. Biochemists are researchers who study molecules and compounds at the cellular level. Their work is extremely demanding, and the level of education required is extremely high.
Biochemists can receive bonuses from their employers for excellent performance. A biochemist’s annual bonus in South Africa is R19,914.00 (Salary Expert). Biochemist bonuses vary by employer but typically range from R5,000.00 to R147,000.00 per year.
Not every South African biochemist receives a bonus. According to Salary Explorer, 55% of biochemists received a bonus in 2021, while 45% did not. Those who received a bonus received a bonus that ranged from 3% to 5% of their annual salary.
In South Africa, a Biochemist’s salary is influenced by their gender. According to Salary Explorer, male Biochemists earn more than women. Male Biochemists in South Africa earn an average monthly salary of R71,700.00.
A female Biochemist, on the other hand, earns an average monthly salary of R66,500.00. This means that female Biochemists earn 7% less than male Biochemists. Furthermore, women are underrepresented, accounting for only 33% of South African Biochemists (Payscale).
Aside from gender, there are other factors that influence Biochemists’ salaries. Below, we go over the factors that influence the salary of Biochemists in South Africa.
To find work, biochemists must have a certain level of education. A Bachelor’s degree in the field is the minimum qualification for a Biochemist. A Biochemist with a Bachelor’s degree earns the least salary in terms of qualification.
Biochemists with a Bachelor’s degree earn an average monthly salary of R52,400.00. Biochemists with a Master’s degree, on the other hand, earn an average monthly salary of R64,900.00.
The average salary of a biochemist with a master’s degree is 24% higher than the average salary of a biochemist with a bachelor’s degree. When biochemists with a Ph.D. are considered, the gap widens even more.
A Ph.D. biochemist earns an average monthly salary of R104,000. The salary is 60% higher than that of a master’s degree biochemist and 98% higher than that of a bachelor’s degree biochemist.
Moreover, a biochemist’s salary is affected by the company for which they work. Biochemists are compensated differently by employers. A good employer will most likely include contributions to medical aid, retirement annuities, and other policies that will improve an employee’s life.
A Biochemist’s bonus is also influenced by the company for which they work. The bonus level should be agreed upon between the employer and the employee, and a good employer provides a performance bonus.
Another factor that influences a Biochemist’s salary is their level of experience in the field. Below, we explore how the level of experience affects a Biochemist’s salary.
A biochemist with 0–2 years of experience can expect to earn R40,600 per month on average. Entry-level Biochemists earn the least in this group which are those with 0 years of experience. A biochemist with 0 years of experience earns an average monthly salary of R35,700.00. Biochemists with 2 years of experience earn the most in this category, with an average monthly salary of R45,700.00.
A Biochemist with 3 to 5 years of experience can expect to earn R54,590.00 per month on average. The salary represents a 34% increase over the average salary of Biochemists with 0 to 2 years of experience.
Biochemists with 5 years of experience earn the most in this category, with an average monthly salary of R61,630.00. Biochemists with 3 years of experience and a Bachelor’s degree earn the least in this category, with an average monthly salary of R48,100.00.
A Biochemist with 6 to 10 years of experience can expect to earn R70,800.00 per month on average. The salary represents a 30% increase over the average salary of Biochemists with 3 to 5 years of experience.
Biochemists with 10 years of experience and a Ph.D. are the highest paid, with an average monthly salary of R81,100.00. Biochemists with 6 years of experience earn the lowest salaries in this category, with an average monthly salary of R64,500.00.
A Biochemist with 11 to 15 years of experience can expect to earn R85,700.00 per month on average. The salary represents a 21% increase over the average salary of Biochemists with 6 to 10 years of experience.
Biochemists with 15 years of experience earn the highest salaries in this group, with an average monthly salary of R88,900.00. Biochemists with 11 years of experience earn the least in this category, with an average monthly salary of R83,200.00.
A Biochemist with 16 to 20 years of experience can expect to earn R93,700.00 per month on average. The salary represents a 9% increase over the average salary of Biochemists with 11 to 15 years of experience. Biochemists with 20+ years of experience earn an average monthly salary of R98,600.00. Biochemists with a Ph.D. and 20+ years of experience can earn up to R105,000.00 per month.
A Biochemist’s salary is significantly higher than the South African average, and it includes benefits that can be enjoyed both while working and after retirement. To earn a higher-than-average salary as a Biochemist, you must pursue a postgraduate degree and stay in the field for a longer period of time.
This website uses cookies.
