Home > Salary > South Africa > Forensic Scientist
A forensic scientist is a professional who applies scientific principles and techniques to investigate crimes and analyze evidence. They work closely with law enforcement agencies and legal professionals to collect, examine, and interpret physical evidence found at crime scenes. Forensic scientists utilize various scientific methods, such as DNA analysis, fingerprinting, ballistics, toxicology, and digital forensics, to uncover crucial information that can be used in criminal investigations and court proceedings.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 150,384 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 12,532 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,892 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 72 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 12,070 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,785 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 70 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-07
Estimated Yearly Salary: 7,477 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 623 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 144 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 4 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
4 %
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: 150,384 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 12,532 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,892 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 72 ZAR per hour
By working as Forensic Scientist a person can save up to 352 USD per month or 4,223 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 Forensic Scientist
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Forensic Scientist salary in South Africa
Average Yearly Salary of Forensic Scientist in South Africa is approximately 150,384 ZAR (7,477 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 Forensic Scientist do?
A forensic scientist is a professional who applies scientific principles and techniques to investigate crimes and analyze evidence. They work closely with law enforcement agencies and legal professionals to collect, examine, and interpret physical evidence found at crime scenes. Forensic scientists utilize various scientific methods, such as DNA analysis, fingerprinting, ballistics, toxicology, and digital forensics, to uncover crucial information that can be used in criminal investigations and court proceedings.
Skills: forensic science, crime investigation, evidence analysis, scientific methods, law enforcement collaboration, courtroom testimony
Job industry: Science and technology
Job industry: Science and technology
How much does Forensic Scientist make?
Salary details
How much does Forensic Scientist make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 150,384 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 12,532 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,892 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 72 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax Last revision of data: 2025-01-04Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 144,840 ZAREstimated Monthly Salary: 12,070 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,785 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 70 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-07Forensic Scientist estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 7,477 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 623 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 144 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 4 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
4 %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 Forensic Scientist job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Forensic Scientist in South Africa earns on average:
1.18 times the average salary (or 118% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Forensic Scientist job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Forensic Scientist in South Africa earns on average:
1.18 times the average salary (or 118% of average salary).
Is Forensic Scientist a well paid job?
Yes, our data show that Forensic Scientist is an averagely well paid job that still allows for some yearly savings. With years and experience the salary might increase even further, resulting in higher satisfaction.What is considered a high salary for Forensic Scientist?
High salary for Forensic Scientist would be somewhere between 165,422 ZAR and 218,057 ZAR. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Forensic Scientist 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: 150,384 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 12,532 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 2,892 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 72 ZAR per hour
By working as Forensic Scientist a person can save up to 352 USD per month or 4,223 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 Forensic Scientist
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:
Economic consultant (171,390 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Biological technician (88,421 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Fundraisingsponsorship manager (134,500 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Journeyman machinist (139,132 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Associate professor of physics (130,757 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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