Dentist Salary in South African Rands
Typically, an average dentist makes anywhere around R34 600 per month, which is R430 on an hourly basis. If you are interested in entering the medical profession as a dentist, here is everything you need to know about the average dentist’s salary in South Africa. So, let’s get to know more.
Dentist Salary in South Africa
A typical dentist earns anywhere between R75 100 and R119 000, from lowest to highest. In South Africa, dentists get paid almost R430 on an hourly basis, which makes it around R34 600. In comparison, the average salary of a dentist in the United States is anywhere around $221960.
And when we compare it with the American dentist, this amount can easily go up to $150,000 in the 25th percentile. This is only around R57 000 for the 25th percentile for South African citizens. Hence, it would be safe to say that US dentists definitely have an advantage here.
Bonus and Incentives
The average salary of a dentist in South Africa is inclusive of all the fringe benefits that range from medical insurance to rent allowance, housing facilities, and transportation. But the good news is that when we look at the bonus amount, almost 84% of mid-career professionals get a bonus (almost 5-9% of their original monthly salary).
Professional Responsibilities of a Dentist
The simplest definition of a dentist’s job is to keep your teeth and gums healthy. They are required to help you with regular dental check-ups and cleaning sessions. Similarly, based on the condition of your teeth, they perform certain procedures including fillings, crowns, root canals, whitening, cleaning, and bridges.
Factors that Influence Dentist Salary in South Africa
A number of factors count when it comes to deciding your salary as a dentist. These things range from your level of experience to gender, and the city in which you are based. If you want to know more about the factors that influence a dentist’s salary in South Africa, keep on reading this.
Level of Experience
When it comes to dentistry, your experience matters a lot, as it helps you bring credibility and patient trust to the table. And if you want to know how much increase you get in your monthly salary after every five to ten years of experience, here is a complete breakdown. So, keep on reading to know more.
| Level of Experience | Salary (Per Month) | Increase (Percentage) |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 years of experience | R39 200 | 0% |
| 2-5 years of experience | R52 400 | 34% |
| 5-10 years of experience | R77 400 | 48% |
| 10-15 years of experience | R94 400 | 22% |
| 15-20 years of experience | R103 000 | 9% |
| Over 20 years of experience | R111 000 | 8% |
Government or Private Sector
You also have to decide whether you want to pursue a career in dentistry as a South African citizen. Well, all the popular professions across the country have more salaries in the public sector. According to the latest stats, there is almost a 7% decrease in private employees’ salaries, especially across medical professions.
| Public Sector | R32 400 |
| Private Sector | R30 400 |
City of Employment
The city in which you have based your clinic as a dentist can further make a huge difference in deciding your salary. For instance, if you are located in big cities with more population, it is natural that you will make more. Here is how dentists get paid across different cities and towns in South Africa.
| City | Salary (Per Month) |
|---|---|
| Pretoria, Gauteng | R73 800 |
| Durban, KwaZulu Natal | R82 500 |
| Johannesburg, Gauteng | R81 200 |
| Cape Town, Western Cape | R84 400 |
| Bloemfontein | R70 900 |
| Port Elizabeth | R74 300 |
Gender
Your gender as a dentist determines how much you get paid in the country. This is because the medical field is highly dominated by male professionals, which means a greater number of recruitments across the board. According to the latest stats, there is a 7% increase in salaries for men dentists than their female counterparts.
| Male Dentist | R79 300 |
| Female Dentist | R71 000 |
What is the average hourly salary of a dentist in South Africa?
A typical dentist in South Africa makes anywhere around R430 on an hourly basis.
How much does a dentist make in South Africa?
An average mid-career dentist earns approximately R34 000 in South Africa.
Do you need a degree to become a dentist?
Yes, dentistry is a formal job, which requires an official degree from a medical university. The least amount of degree you need is 16 years of education, also known as a bachelor’s degree.
Dentistry is a well-reputed profession in South Africa, which is why more and more people are aspiring to enter the field. The best part about the job is that it is equally good in monetary terms. I hope this guide has been helpful in determining whether it is a suitable profession for you.
