SalaryScope South Africa logo
2026 comparison

Psychiatrist vs Midwife salary in South Africa

Compare salary, demand, difficulty, and long-term growth to choose the right career path.

Quick answer

Psychiatrist vs Midwife in South Africa

Higher paying career
Psychiatrist
Monthly difference
R115 000
Easier to enter
Midwife
Better long-term
Psychiatrist

Winner summary

Winner for salary
Psychiatrist (+R115 000/month)
Easier entry
Midwife
Best long-term
Psychiatrist
Verdict

Choose Psychiatrist if your goal is higher income and long-term growth.

Choose Midwife if your goal is faster entry and lower barriers.

Career overview

Psychiatrist

Demand: 8/10

Salary guide
Requirements

MBChB + MMed Psychiatry + HPCSA.

  • MBChB
  • Specialist registration
  • HPCSA
Salary
EntryR60 000
MidR110 000
SeniorR170 000
Top 20%R280 000

Midwife

Demand: 8/10

Salary guide
Requirements

Diploma in Midwifery or Advanced Midwifery (post-nursing).

  • Registered Nurse
  • Midwifery qualification
  • SANC registration
Salary
EntryR18 000
MidR38 000
SeniorR55 000
Top 20%R80 000

Salary breakdown

Entry
PsychiatristR60 000
MidwifeR18 000
Mid
PsychiatristR110 000
MidwifeR38 000
Senior
PsychiatristR170 000
MidwifeR55 000
Top 20%
PsychiatristR280 000
MidwifeR80 000

Demand and difficulty

Demand

Psychiatrist (8/10)8/10
Midwife (8/10)8/10

Difficulty

Psychiatrist (10/10)10/10
Midwife (7/10)7/10
Salary difference
+R115 000/month

The salary gap at senior level is about R115 000 per month. Psychiatrist earns more due to higher demand and stronger salary growth at senior level.

See full Psychiatrist salary in South Africa →

Key questions

Which pays more in South Africa?

Psychiatrist pays more, with senior salaries around R170 000 per month compared to R55 000 for Midwife.

Which is easier to enter?

Midwife is easier to enter due to lower difficulty and more accessible requirements.

Which is better long-term?

Psychiatrist offers stronger long-term potential based on higher salary ceilings and demand.

Detailed comparison

When comparing Psychiatrist vs Midwife in South Africa, the senior-level salary difference is R115 000 per month.

Midwife is better for quicker entry into the workforce. Psychiatrist is better for long-term earnings and career growth.

Skills and requirements

Psychiatrist

Core skills
  • DiagnosisHigh
  • PharmacologyHigh
  • Therapy & counsellingMedium

Midwife

Core skills
  • Maternal careHigh
  • Emergency responseHigh
  • Patient supportHigh

Side by side

Diagnosis
Psychiatrist needs this
Less central
Pharmacology
Psychiatrist needs this
Less central
Therapy & counselling
Psychiatrist needs this
Less central
Maternal care
Less central
Midwife needs this
Emergency response
Less central
Midwife needs this
Patient support
Less central
Midwife needs this

Career progression

Psychiatrist

RegistrarR65 000
Specialist PsychiatristR110 000
Senior PsychiatristR170 000
Private Practice / Head of UnitR280 000

Midwife

Junior MidwifeR22 000
MidwifeR38 000
Senior MidwifeR55 000
Midwifery SpecialistR80 000

Related insights

Compare more careersExplore related comparisonsFind higher paying jobs

More Psychiatrist salary comparisons

Other careers people compare with Psychiatrist salary in South Africa.

See full Psychiatrist salary guide →

More Midwife salary comparisons

Other careers people compare with Midwife salary in South Africa.

See full Midwife salary guide →

Explore related salary guides

Related careers
Medical Doctor salaryR150 000Psychologist salaryR95 000
Higher paying alternatives
Municipal Manager salary - higher earning pathR200 000Advocate salary - higher earning pathR170 000
Easier entry careers
IT Support Technician salary - easier entry option3/10Bookkeeper salary - easier entry option3/10
Similar industry salaries
Healthcare career: Paramedic salaryHealthcare career: Dentist salary
Popular career comparisons
Software Engineer vs Data Scientist salary in South AfricaChartered Accountant vs Financial Analyst salary in South Africa
Explore more salary guides
how much Social Workers earn in South Africahow much Physiotherapists earn in South Africahow much Occupational Therapists earn in South Africahow much Registered Nurses earn in South Africahow much Veterinarians earn in South Africahow much Biomedical Engineers earn in South Africa
Compare Related Share