The average veterinarian salary in South Africa is R55,466.00 per month. A veterinarian’s salary can be increased by incentives and commissions to make a higher income.
A veterinarian’s annual commission ranges from R22,000.00 to R50,000.00. Veterinarian commissions in South Africa tend to change. A veterinarian does not always earn commissions because commissions are granted based on an employer.
The average annual bonus for a veterinarian is R9,739.00 (Salary Expert). A veterinarian’s annual bonus can range from R5,000.00 to R101,000.00. Bonuses for male veterinarians average 8% of annual income for veterinarians in South Africa.
Employers do not always provide bonuses for veterinarians. Only 78% of veterinarians received bonuses in 2021, according to Salary Explorer, while 22% of veterinarians did not receive any bonuses.
In South Africa, a variety of factors determine a veterinarian’s salary. These factors are discussed further below.
Factors that affect the salary of a Veterinarian in South Africa
Level of Education
A Veterinarian’s salary is heavily influenced by their level of education. As with most occupations, the higher a Veterinarian’s level of education, the higher their level of salary.
A Veterinarian with a Bachelor’s degree, for example, earns an average monthly salary of R28,500.00. A Veterinarian with a master’s degree earns an average monthly salary of R35,000.00.
The average salary of a Veterinarian with a master’s degree is 24% higher than the average salary of a Veterinarian with a bachelor’s degree. A Veterinarian’s income rises even further after they earn a PhD.
A Veterinarian with a PhD earns an average monthly salary of R56,500.00. The average salary of a veterinarian with a PhD is 60% higher than that of a veterinarian with a master’s degree.
City of Employment and Employer
The employer of a Veterinarian has the upper hand in establishing a Veterinarian’s salary. Obtaining a fair remuneration structure from an employer is something that every trained veterinarian should accomplish.
A solid payment plan allows a veterinarian to earn a good base income, commissions, and bonuses for their job. The Western Cape Government is the most reputable employer for veterinarians, with an average monthly salary of R52,226.00.
The city in which a Veterinarian works influences his or her compensation. Here is a list of the best-paying cities in South Africa for veterinarians:
| # | City | Monthly Average salary |
| 1 | Johannesburg, Gauteng | R53,057.00 |
| 2 | Stellenbosch, Western Cape | R52,382.00 |
| 3 | Pretoria, Gauteng | R52,226.00 |
| 4 | Cape Town, Western Cape | R50,000.00 |
The salary of a Veterinarian is also influenced by the level of experience that one has. We look at the salaries of Veterinarians based on their level of experience below.
Salary of a Veterinarian based on their level of experience
Average Veterinarian salary with 0 – 2 years of work experience in 2024
A Veterinarian with 0 to 2 years of experience can expect to earn R22,100.00 per month on average. Veterinarians with 0 years of experience get the lowest salary in this category.
Veterinarians with 0 years of experience earn an average monthly salary of R19,500.00. Veterinarians with 2 years of experience receive the highest salaries in this category, with an average monthly salary of R24,000.00.
Average Veterinarian salary with 3 – 5 years of work experience in 2024
A Veterinarian with 3 to 5 years of experience can expect to earn R29,700.00 per month on average. The salary represents a 34% increase over the average salary of Veterinarians with 0 to 2 years of experience.
Veterinarians with 5 years of experience are the highest paid in this category, with an average monthly salary of R33,830.00. Veterinarians with 3 years of experience earn the least in this category, with an average monthly salary of R27,900.00.
Average Veterinarian salary 6 – 10 years of work experience in 2024
Veterinarians with 6 to 10 years of experience earn an average monthly salary of R38,600.00. The salary represents a 30% increase over the average salary of Veterinarians with 3 to 5 years of experience.
Veterinarians with 10 years of experience earn the most in this category, with an average monthly salary of R41,100.00. Veterinarians with 6 years of experience earn the least, with an average monthly salary of R36,500.00.
Average Veterinarian salary with 11 – 15 years of work experience in 2024
A Veterinarian with 11 to 15 years of experience can expect to earn R46,700.00 per month on average. The salary represents a 21% increase above the average wage of Veterinarians with 6 to 10 years of experience.
Veterinarians with 11 years of experience are the lowest paid in this group, with an average monthly salary of R44,000.00. Veterinarians with 15 years of experience receive the highest salaries in this category, with an average monthly salary of R48,780.00.
Average Veterinarian salary with 16 – 20 years of work experience in 2024
A veterinarian with 16 to 20 years of experience earns an average monthly salary of R51,000.00. The salary reflects a 9% increase above the average salary of veterinarians with 11 to 15 years of experience.
Veterinarians with more than 20 years of experience earn the most, with an average monthly salary of R53,400.00. Veterinarians might earn as much as R57,300.00 per month, especially if they have a PhD in the profession.
Conclusion
A veterinarian’s salary increases by 11% on average per year, which is 2% higher than the national average. A postgraduate degree in the profession can help a Veterinarian earn a higher salary.
