Paramedics Salary in South African Rands in 2024

Paramedics is a highly growing and respectful profession across the globe, let alone in South Africa. So, if you are getting training and want to enter the job market as a paramedic, let me tell you there are endless job opportunities for you with high pay packages. An average paramedic earns around R85 per hour, which is higher than average professions.

If you want to know more about the paramedic salary in South Africa, keep on reading this guide. It also offers side-by-side comparisons of paramedics already working in the field.

A paramedic based in South Africa is expected to earn anywhere between R 131 684 and R 218 079. On average, the salary of paramedics across the country is around R 177 261 on a yearly basis, which is around R85.22 per hour. However, this amount is subject to revisions based on the candidates’ profile (education, experience, and more).

Salary Potential

According to the national salary survey, the field is growing with more and more government-run healthcare and developmental projects. An estimate done by the National Survey Organization SA suggests that the average salary after eight years in 2028 can reach R 190,961, with an 8% increase. So, if anyone is interested in entering this field, it might be the right choice.

Salary by Experience

There is no doubt that your expertise, skill, and age can contribute a lot in determining your salary as a paramedic in South Africa. Here is a breakdown of how paramedics are paid based on their relevant work experience.

1-3 Years of Experience

Professionals with this range of expertise are often considered entry-level. Their estimated yearly salary is around R 131 684. Apart from this, they earn an average bonus amount of R2 659, which is partially determined by the working organization.

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Over 8 Years of Experience

To get the title of a senior-level paramedic, at least eight years of experience is required. Professionals with this experience can earn around R 218 079. Similarly, their bonus amount is determined by their work experience and position in the past.

Salary by Location

You will be surprised to know that the city where you are allocated as a paramedic matters a lot in determining your average monthly salary. As per the data of the past decade, Cape Town and Johannesburg are the highest-paying locations for paramedics. Here is a breakdown of the paramedic salary on the basis of cities.

Cape Town (Western Cape)

The estimated monthly salary of paramedics based in Cape Town is R 48,956.

Johannesburg Gauteng

For paramedics based in Johannesburg, the approximate average monthly salary would be R 47,932 on a monthly basis.

Pretoria Gauteng

Pretoria might not be the best place for paramedics planning to work in South Africa. The average paramedic in this city can earn around R 21 265 on a monthly basis.

Durban KwaZulu Natal

Durban can be considered a decent place to work as a paramedic. According to this, the average salary would be around R 45 178 on a monthly basis.

What Does a Paramedic Do: Professional Responsibilities?

Paramedics are healthcare professionals who provide medical care to those in need of emergency care. These skilled people work along with other first responders in times of crisis. To become a paramedic, you have to undergo educational training regarding emergency medical procedures, anatomy, physiology, and on-the-spot treatment of patients.

Being a paramedic means working in rough conditions, which demands technical expertise, immediate decision-making capabilities, and compassion for your patients. Here are some professional duties of professionals working as paramedics.

Responding to medical assistance at the scenes of accidents, crises, and medical emergencies.
Patient assessment on the spot. Checking for potential injuries and medical issues according to the nature of the emergency.
Gathering information about a patient’s vitals and medical history.
Providing immediate care and treatment based on your assessment. This includes treatments like wound care, CPR, fracture splinting, and more.
Performing life support procedures like defibrillation, stabilization, intubation, and so on.
Communicating with patients and other first responders working with you.
Completing the documentation for the patient’s transfer from the accident spot to the hospital.

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What Factors Determine the Salary of a Paramedic in South Africa

There are a number of factors that count when deciding your monthly salary as a paramedic working in South Africa. Having complete knowledge about these factors can help you plan your career path better and fish for opportunities with better salary packages. So, let us discuss them in detail.

Education

Given the technical nature of the profession, educational qualifications and training matter the most in determining the salary of a paramedic. But before diving into the salary, let me mention that you need at least a bachelor’s or associate’s degree to practice as a paramedic in South Africa. Along with this, training programs can help build your job profile.

Now, coming to the point, paramedics with a bachelor’s degree earn 40% more than those with an associate degree or diploma, as per the National Survey organization. Though most paramedics do not have a master’s degree, having one can open high-posting positions for you. However, there is only a 7-8% increase when transferring from a bachelor’s to a postgraduate.

Expertise

Apart from education, your experience and skills also matter a lot in deciding your monthly salary as a paramedic. According to the national survey, there is a reported 15-25% increase in monthly paramedic salary with each five-year gap.

For instance, when you move from the five-year experience bracket to a ten-year work experience bracket, your salary has an increase of 21%, and so on. Similarly, professionals with twenty years of experience earn around R 38 400 per month, which is 8% more than those with fifteen years of experience.

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How much are paramedics paid in South Africa?

Typically, paramedics in South Africa earn approximately between R 131 684 and R 218 079 yearly. With this, they earn an average bonus of R2 659 per year.

Are paramedics in demand in South Africa?

Yes, paramedics are in high demand across the globe, let alone in South Africa, due to the high intensity of medical emergencies, accidents, and crisis situations.

Where are the highest-paid paramedics in South Africa?

Within South Africa, Cape Town and Johannesburg are the two highest-paid places for paramedics to work. They have an average monthly salary between R43 000 and R45 000.

What is the median paramedic salary in South Africa?

An average paramedic based in South Africa earns anywhere around R 177 261 on a yearly basis.

What is the salary of an entry-level paramedic in South Africa?

A beginner paramedic based in South Africa has an estimated salary of R 131 684 on a yearly basis.

Paramedics is a highly reputable and growing field across South Africa, given the technical nature of the profession. However, before you jump into the job market, it is important to consider the average salary paid to paramedics based on their experience and level of education.

Eventually, it helps you fish for better job opportunities. Finally, I hope this guide has been helpful in determining how to plan your future as a paramedic in South Africa.