The average pharmacist salary is R23,889.00 per month. The salary of the 10th percentile of pharmacists in South Africa is R247,000.00 per year, making the profession’s entry-level salary high.
Those in the 90th percentile earn the highest salary as Pharmacists. The estimated yearly salary for Pharmacists in the 90th percentile is R697,000.00 per year. Those in the 90th percentile have a postgraduate degree in the field and/or have worked in the field for more than 10 years.
The company that one chooses is likely to have an impact on the income that one receives. Here are some of the highest-paying companies in South Africa for pharmacists in 2024:
| # | Company Name | Average Monthly Salary |
| 1 | Costa Crociere | R85,000.00 |
| 2 | Transauto | R55,000.00 |
| 3 | Clicks | R45,800.00 |
| 4 | Dischem | R39,390.00 |
| 5 | Netcare | R40,000.00 |
| 6 | Department of Health | R48,000.00 |
| 7 | Medipost Pharmacy | R44,900.00 |
| 8 | Mediclinic | R36,200.00 |
| 9 | KZN Department of Health | R47,500.00 |
Pharmacist salaries in South Africa are mostly determined by the number of years of experience and the level of education attained. To help you understand the salaries of Pharmacists in South Africa, we’ve included a breakdown of earnings based on level of experience in the field below.
In South Africa, the average salary for a Pharmacist with 0 to 2 years of experience is R25,100.00 per month. In 2022, the starting salary for Pharmacists (those with 0 years of experience) in South Africa is R21,200.00. The lowest salary is 10% lower than the national average, although it is significantly more than the country’s GDP per capita.
A Pharmacist with 2 years of work experience can earn as much as R400,000.00 per year. Pharmacists with 2 years of experience can also earn as little as R22,146.00 per month. The average salary for Pharmacists with 2 years of experience is R26,800.00 per month.
A Pharmacist with 3 to 5 years of experience can expect to earn R32,300.00 per month on average. The average salary of Pharmacists with 3 to 5 years of work experience is 29% higher than the average salary of Pharmacists with 0 to 2 years of work experience.
Pharmacists with less than three years of experience are paid the least in this category. Pharmacists with 3 years of experience earn an average monthly salary of R27,500.00. The lowest monthly salary for Pharmacists with three years of experience is R24,000.00.
Those with 5 years of experience as pharmacists receive the highest salaries in this category. Pharmacists with 5 years of work experience earn an average salary of R31,546.00 per month in 2022. The maximum salary for pharmacists with 5 years of work experience is R38,600.00 per month.
A Pharmacist with 6 to 10 years of experience earns R44,500.00 per month on average. The salary of Pharmacists with 6 to 10 years of experience is 38% more than that of those with 3 to 5 years of experience.
Pharmacists at this level are paid a base pay plus a performance bonus. Performance bonus can reach up to R62,000.00 per year. Commissions are also possible and might reach R36,000.00 per year.
Those with 10 years of work experience earn the most in this group, with an average monthly salary of R46,000.00. Those with 6 years of job experience earn the least, on average, R39,200.00 per month.
A pharmacist with 11 to 15 years of work experience earns R55,100.00 per month on average. This average salary is 24% more than the average salary of pharmacists with 6 to 10 years of experience.
Pharmacists with a master’s degree in the discipline can earn a 5% raise over the average income. Pharmacists with 15 years of experience earn the highest salaries in this category, which is an average monthly pay of R56,870.00.
Those with 11 years of experience as Pharmacists earn the least in this group. Pharmacists with 11 years of working experience earn an average salary of R44,100.00 per month.
A pharmacist with 16 to 20 years of experience can expect to earn R59,100.00 per month on average. The average salary for pharmacists with 16 to 20 years of experience is 7% higher than for pharmacists with 11 to 15 years of experience.
The longer the years of working experience increase beyond 15 years as a pharmacist, the slower the increase becomes. This is true as pharmacists with 20+ years of work experience will likely realise a salary increase of not more than 7% from the average salary of pharmacists with 16 to 20 years of work experience.
The job of a Pharmacist has other benefits attached to it. Employers are likely to contribute to a Pharmacist’s medical insurance and retirement plan. When considering the cost to the company of a Pharmacist, a 5% – 10% increase in gross salary can be realized.
Pharmacists are key to the distribution of critical medicines to individuals in need. They are paid well and receive benefits for performing their duties. A postgraduate degree in the subject can increase one’s salary, making the practice an excellent career choice for anyone seeking employment fulfillment.
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