Home > Salary > South Africa > Chemist
A chemist is a professional who specializes in the study of chemicals and their properties, composition, and reactions. They work in various industries such as pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, research, and development, and government agencies. Chemists are responsible for conducting experiments, analyzing data, and interpreting results to develop new products, improve existing ones, or solve problems related to chemical processes. They often work in laboratories, using sophisticated equipment and instruments to carry out their experiments. Chemists also play a crucial role in ensuring safety and compliance with regulations by testing and evaluating the quality of chemicals and products.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 160,109 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 13,342 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 3,079 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 77 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 12,933 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,985 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 75 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-06
Estimated Yearly Salary: 8,033 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 669 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 154 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 4 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
3 %
Data confidence is - relatively high
Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Estimated Yearly Salary: 160,109 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 13,342 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 3,079 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 77 ZAR per hour
By working as Chemist a person can save up to 398 USD per month or 4,779 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Estimated Yearly Salary for Chemist
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
Random salary:
Land administrator (104,111 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Weatherization technician (120,858 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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Chemist salary in South Africa
Average Yearly Salary of Chemist in South Africa is approximately 160,109 ZAR (8,033 USD). Data is for 2025 and indicates a pre-tax value. The salary itself depends on multiple factors such as seniority, job performance, certifications, experience or any other bonuses. The value indicated is an average amount based on records we have in database. Real values may vary. The data is for orientational purposes.
What does Chemist do?
A chemist is a professional who specializes in the study of chemicals and their properties, composition, and reactions. They work in various industries such as pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, research, and development, and government agencies. Chemists are responsible for conducting experiments, analyzing data, and interpreting results to develop new products, improve existing ones, or solve problems related to chemical processes. They often work in laboratories, using sophisticated equipment and instruments to carry out their experiments. Chemists also play a crucial role in ensuring safety and compliance with regulations by testing and evaluating the quality of chemicals and products.
Skills: Chemist, Chemistry, Research and Development, Laboratory, Pharmaceuticals, Chemical Analysis
Job industry: Pharmaceuticals
Job industry: Pharmaceuticals
How much does Chemist make?
Salary details
How much does Chemist make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 160,109 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 13,342 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 3,079 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 77 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax Last revision of data: 2025-01-04Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 155,200 ZAREstimated Monthly Salary: 12,933 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,985 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 75 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-06Chemist estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 8,033 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 669 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 154 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 4 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
3 %About these results
Data confidence is - relatively high Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Compare salary to other countries
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Country:
Salary comparison to National average
South Africa is a diverse and vibrant country located at the southernmost tip of the African continent. It has a population of approximately 59 million people and covers an area of around 1.2 million square kilometers. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and abundant wildlife.
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Chemist job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Chemist in South Africa earns on average:
1.26 times the average salary (or 126% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Chemist job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Chemist in South Africa earns on average:
1.26 times the average salary (or 126% of average salary).
Is Chemist a well paid job?
Yes, our data shows that Chemist is a well paid job. With years and experience the salary might increase even further, resulting in higher satisfaction.What is considered a high salary for Chemist?
High salary for Chemist would be somewhere between 176,120 ZAR and 232,158 ZAR. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Chemist in South Africa?
Living in South Africa the approximate monthly expenses are: 271 USD. This amount covers basic needs such as food, housing, clothing, healthcare and education costs for a single person. No luxury expenses such as traveling, leisure, hobbies are included in the estimation.Estimated Yearly Salary: 160,109 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 13,342 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 3,079 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 77 ZAR per hour
By working as Chemist a person can save up to 398 USD per month or 4,779 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Salary comparison to region and neighbouring coutries
Country's neighbours are: Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, Lesotho. To make it easier for comparison a conversion from local currency to USD has been made (conversion rates may vary).Estimated Yearly Salary for Chemist
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04Salary increase per years of experience
Based on data available the salary increase per years of experience is as following- 0 years (beginner) equals base salary
- 1 to 5 years of experience yields
+12% salary increase- 6 to 10 years of experience yields
+25% salary increase- 11 to 15 years of experience yields
+16% salary increase- 16 to 25 years of experience yields
+9% salary increase- more than 25 years of experience yields
+10% salary increaseTop 10 highest salaries in South Africa
(1,412,867 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
2. Cardiologist
(1,176,011 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
(1,138,908 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
(1,102,268 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
5. Neurosurgeon
(1,100,784 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
(1,077,960 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
(1,073,792 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
(1,073,439 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
9. Oncologist
(1,071,922 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
10. Urologist
(1,071,632 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Data as of 2025Random salary:
Land administrator (104,111 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Weatherization technician (120,858 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Grocery associate (61,421 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Paint estimator (130,060 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Railroad conductor (181,800 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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