Average Salary For Occupational Therapist In South Africa

Occupational Therapists are health care professionals specializing in occupational therapy and occupational science. OTs and occupational therapy assistants use scientific bases and a holistic perspective to promote a person’s ability to fulfill their daily routines and roles.

Below are salaries earned by Occupational therapists Earn In South Africa

A person working as an Occupational Therapist in South Africa typically earns around 41,800 ZAR per month. Salaries range from 20,500 ZAR (lowest) to 65,300 ZAR (highest).

This is the average monthly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Occupational Therapist’s salaries vary drastically based on experience, skills, gender, or location. Below you will find a detailed breakdown based on many different criteria.

Occupational Therapist Salary Distribution in South Africa

The median, the maximum, the minimum, and the range

Salary Range

Occupational Therapist salaries in South Africa range from 20,500 ZAR per month (minimum salary) to 65,300 ZAR per month (maximum salary).

Median Salary

The median salary is 42,700 ZAR per month, which means that half (50%) of people working as Occupational therapists (s) are earning less than 42,700 ZAR while the other half are earning more than 42,700 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 Occupational therapists (s) are earning less than 28,400 ZAR while 75% of them are earning more than 28,400 ZAR. Also from the diagram, 75% of Occupational therapists (s) are earning less than 55,000 ZAR while 25% are earning more than 55,000 ZAR.

Occupational Therapist Salary Comparison by Years of Experience

How do 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 Occupational Therapist salaries by experience level and this is what we found.

An Occupational Therapist with less than two years of experience makes approximately 24,300 ZAR per month.

While someone with an experience level of between two and five years is expected to earn 31,200 ZAR per month, 29% more than someone with less than two years of experience.

Moving forward, an experience level between five and ten years lands a salary of 43,100 ZAR per month, 38% more than someone with two to five years of experience.

Additionally, Occupational Therapist(s) whose expertise span anywhere between ten and fifteen years get a salary equivalent to 53,400 ZAR per month, 24% 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 57,200 ZAR per month, 7% more than someone with ten to fifteen years of experience.

Lastly, employees with more than twenty years of professional experience get a salary of 61,000 ZAR per month, 7% more than people with fifteen to twenty years of experience.

Occupational therapist’s average salary changes by experience in South Africa

0 – 2 Years24,300 ZAR
2 – 5 Years+29%31,200 ZAR
5 – 10 Years+38%43,100 ZAR
10 – 15 Years+24%53,400 ZAR
15 – 20 Years+7%57,200 ZAR
20+ Years+7%61,000 ZAR

Occupational Therapist 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 Occupational Therapist salaries by education level in order to make a comparison

When the education level is Bachelor’s Degree, the average salary of an Occupational Therapist is 30,300 ZAR per month.

While someone with a Master’s Degree gets a salary of 48,700 ZAR per month, 60% more than someone having a Bachelor’s Degree degree.

Occupational therapist’s average salary difference by education level in South Africa

Bachelor’s Degree30,300 ZAR
Master’s Degree+60%48,700 ZAR

Occupational Therapist 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 Occupational Therapist employees in South Africa earn 7% less than their female counterparts on average.

Male40,000 ZAR
Female+8%43,200 ZAR

Occupational Therapist Average Annual Salary Increment Percentage in South Africa

How much are annual salary increments in South Africa for Occupational therapists (s)?

How often do employees get salary raises?

Occupational Therapist

Occupational therapists (s) in South Africa are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 9% every 21 months. The national average annual increment for all professions combined is 8% granted to employees every 18 months.

Occupational Therapist Bonus and Incentive Rates in South Africa

How much and how often are bonuses being awarded?

An Occupational Therapist is considered to be a high bonus-based job due to the generally limited involvement in direct revenue generation, with exceptions of course. The people who get the highest bonuses are usually somehow involved in the revenue generation cycle.

19% of surveyed staff reported that they haven’t received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 81% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.

Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 5% to 9% of their annual salary.

Received Bonus
81%

No Bonus
19%

Occupational Therapist Average Hourly Wage in South Africa

The average hourly wage (pay per hour) in South Africa is 240 ZAR. This means that the average Occupational Therapist in South Africa earns approximately 240 ZAR for every worked hour.

Is Occupational Therapy in demand in South Africa?

In South Africa, there is currently a great demand for occupational therapists to do medico-legal work and the work is lucrative. Legislative changes increase the chances of all occupational therapists in practice being held publically accountable for their work.

How long does it take to become an occupational therapist in South Africa?

The course covers a period of four years of full-time study. It is designed so as to obtain active participation and learning from the student. Students perform clinical practical work at several clinics, bodies, and hospitals as well as in the community.

Is occupational therapy a good career?

Summary: OT is a good career because it offers a flexible schedule, a comfortable salary, and the ability to choose where you work. Occupational therapy is a good career choice for anyone who wants to get into the healthcare field and work directly with patients to make their lives easier.

Does occupational therapy need maths?

Good math skills are important to be able to compile data and track progress with your patients. Basic calculations will help with working out time management skills to assist with appointments. You will need to be patient, and understanding and be able to communicate well with others.

What subjects do you need to study in occupational therapy in South Africa?

Biology, psychology, sociology, anthropology, liberal arts, and anatomy are all appropriate majors for those who ultimately want to earn a master’s degree in occupational therapy. Prospective students, as well as qualified occupational therapists, must register with the Interim Medical and Dental Council of South Africa.