Physiotherapists help people affected by injury, illness or disability through movement and exercise, manual therapy, education and advice. They maintain health for people of all ages, helping patients to manage pain and prevent disease.
Physiotherapist Salary In South Africa
A person working as a Physiotherapist in South Africa typically earns around 56,900 ZAR per month. Salaries range from 29,600 ZAR (lowest) to 87,000 ZAR (highest).
This is the average monthly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Physiotherapist salaries vary drastically based on experience, skills, gender, or location. Below you will find a detailed breakdown based on many different criteria.
Physiotherapist Salary Distribution in South Africa
The median, the maximum, the minimum, and the range
Salary Range
Physiotherapist salaries in South Africa range from 29,600 ZAR per month (minimum salary) to 87,000 ZAR per month (maximum salary).
Median Salary
The median salary is 54,600 ZAR per month, which means that half (50%) of people working as Physiotherapists (s) are earning less than 54,600 ZAR while the other half are earning more than 54,600 ZAR.
The median represents the middle salary value. Generally speaking, you would want to be on the right side of the graph with the group earning more than the median salary.
Percentiles
Closely related to the median are two values: the 25th and the 75th percentiles. Reading from the salary distribution diagram, 25% of Physiotherapist(s) are earning less than 37,900 ZAR while 75% of them are earning more than 37,900 ZAR. Also from the diagram, 75% of Physiotherapist(s) are earning less than 68,000 ZAR while 25% are earning more than 68,000 ZAR.
Physiotherapist Salary Comparison by Years of Experience
How does experience and age affect your pay?
The experience level is the most important factor in determining the salary. Naturally the more years of experience the higher your wage. We broke down Physiotherapist salaries by experience level and this is what we found.
A Physiotherapist with less than two years of experience makes approximately 33,600 ZAR per month.
While someone with an experience level between two and five years is expected to earn 45,100 ZAR per month, 34% more than someone with less than two year’s experience.
Moving forward, an experience level between five and ten years lands a salary of 58,600 ZAR per month, 30% more than someone with two to five years of experience.
Additionally, Physiotherapist(s) whose expertise span anywhere between ten and fifteen years get a salary equivalent to 70,900 ZAR per month, 21% 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 77,500 ZAR per month, 9% more than someone with ten to fifteen years of experience.
Lastly, employees with more than twenty years of professional experience get a salary of 81,600 ZAR per month, 5% more than people with fifteen to twenty years of experience.
Physiotherapist average salary change by experience in South Africa
| 0 – 2 Years | 33,600 ZAR | |
| 2 – 5 Years | +34% | 45,100 ZAR |
| 5 – 10 Years | +30% | 58,600 ZAR |
| 10 – 15 Years | +21% | 70,900 ZAR |
| 15 – 20 Years | +9% | 77,500 ZAR |
| 20+ Years | +5% | 81,600 ZAR |
Physiotherapist Salary Comparison By Education
We all know that higher education equals a bigger salary, but how much more money can a degree add to your income? We broke down Physiotherapist salaries by education level in order to make a comparison.
When the education level is Bachelor’s Degree, the average salary of a Physiotherapist is 43,400 ZAR per month.
While someone with a Master’s Degree gets a salary of 53,700 ZAR per month, 24% more than someone having a Bachelor’s Degree degree.
A PhD gets its holder an average salary of 85,900 ZAR per month, 60% more than someone with a Master’s Degree.
Physiotherapist average salary difference by education level in South Africa
| Bachelor’s Degree | 43,400 ZAR | |
| Master’s Degree | +24% | 53,700 ZAR |
| PhD | +60% | 85,900 ZAR |
Physiotherapist Salary Comparison By Gender
Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? Male Physiotherapist employees in South Africa earn 8% more than their female counterparts on average.
| Male | 59,400 ZAR | |
| Female | -7% | 55,100 ZAR |
Physiotherapist Average Annual Salary Increment Percentage in South Africa
How much are annual salary increments in South Africa for Physiotherapists (s)?
How often do employees get salary raises?
Physiotherapist
Physiotherapists (s) in South Africa are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 12% every 16 months. The national average annual increment for all professions combined is 8% granted to employees every 18 months.
Physiotherapist Bonus and Incentive Rates in South Africa
How much and how often are bonuses being awarded?
A Physiotherapist is considered to be a high bonus-based job due to the generally limited involvement of indirect revenue generation, with exceptions of course. The people who get the highest bonuses are usually somehow involved in the revenue generation cycle.
21% of surveyed staff reported that they haven’t received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 79% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.
Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 6% to 8% of their annual salary.
Received Bonus
79%
No Bonus
21%
Physiotherapist Average Hourly Wage in South Africa
The average hourly wage (pay per hour) in South Africa is 330 ZAR. This means that the average Physiotherapist in South Africa earns approximately 330 ZAR for every worked hour.
What is a physiotherapist salary in South Africa?
R 780 000 per year
The average physiotherapist salary in South Africa is R 780 000 per year or R 400 per hour. Entry-level positions start at R 360 000 per year, while most experienced workers make up to R 5 400 000 per year.
Is physiotherapy hard to study in South Africa?
Physiotherapy is not very difficult to study. But one needs to understand the subjects/topics well. If your basics are clear (like in any other subject) you can just apply your knowledge and get the answers. As per my belief, first two years are very important to build your foundation.
Is physiotherapy better than nursing in South Africa?
While the scope of physiotherapy is limited and usually student must have completed the professional degree for more better opportunities. Even if you compare the pay scale, nurses usually earn more than the physiotherapist and it gets increases with the experience.
What does a physical therapist do in South Africa?
Physical therapists evaluate and record a patient’s progress. Physical therapists help injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain. They are often an important part of preventive care, rehabilitation, and treatment for patients with chronic conditions, illnesses, or injuries.
What skills do physical therapists need in South Africa?
Physical therapists must have several skills to be successful in their positions, including communication skills and physical stamina.
Examples of physical therapist skills
Communication skills.
Physical stamina.
Interpersonal skills.
Detail orientation.
Compassion.
Time management skills.
Treatment planning.
What are the disadvantages of being a physiotherapist in South Africa ?
Disadvantages of Being a Physical Therapist
Intensive Training. Difficult coursework and training is a disadvantage of pursuing a PT career.
Salary Considerations.
Physically Demanding Work.
Constant Paperwork.
What kind of person is a physical therapist in South Africa ?
Physical therapists are healthcare professionals who help restore function, improve mobility and relieve pain in patients suffering from a disease that limits physical motion or those who are injured. They play a vital role in maintaining and promoting overall fitness and health.