Nursing is one of South Africa's most essential professions, but pay varies widely depending on your qualification level, sector and experience. Here is a complete breakdown of nurse salaries in South Africa for 2026, including what you actually take home after tax.
Nurse Salary Overview 2026
Nursing salaries in South Africa depend heavily on your registration category with the South African Nursing Council (SANC), your years of experience, and whether you work in the public or private sector.
| Nurse Category | Avg Monthly Gross | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing Assistant | R14,000 | ~R12,800 |
| Enrolled Nurse | R19,000 | ~R16,600 |
| Registered Nurse (Professional) | R28,000 | ~R23,500 |
| Specialist Nurse (ICU, Theatre) | R38,000 | ~R29,500 |
| Nurse Manager / Unit Manager | R48,000 | ~R36,000 |
| Nursing Director | R65,000 | ~R47,000 |
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Open salary calculator →Salary by Qualification Level
Nursing Assistant: Entry-level, requires a 1-year certificate. Handles basic patient care under supervision.
Enrolled Nurse: Requires a 2-year qualification. Provides nursing care under the supervision of a registered nurse.
Registered Nurse (Professional Nurse): Requires a 4-year degree or diploma. Can work independently and is the backbone of SA's nursing workforce.
Specialist Nurse: Registered nurses with additional postgraduate qualifications in areas like ICU, theatre, oncology or midwifery. These command significantly higher salaries due to scarcity.
Public vs Private Sector
Public sector nurses are paid according to the government's Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD) salary scales. Pay is structured and predictable, with good benefits including a pension fund and medical aid subsidy.
Private sector (hospital groups like Netcare, Mediclinic and Life Healthcare) often pays slightly more for specialist roles and offers performance incentives, but may have less job security than government posts.
What a Registered Nurse Takes Home
| Item | Monthly |
|---|---|
| Gross salary | R28,000 |
| PAYE | -R3,693 |
| UIF | -R280 |
| Take-home pay | ~R24,027 |
Use our salary calculator to work out your exact take-home based on your specific salary, medical aid and pension contributions.
Calculate your exact take-home pay
Free, based on verified SARS 2027 tax year figures.
Open salary calculator →