Which Province Pays Nurses The Most 2026?

Which Province Pays Nurses The Most 2026?


Nurses are the backbone of South Africa’s healthcare system, playing a vital role in patient care every day. Their dedication and skills are invaluable, and they deserve fair pay for the important work they do. However, not all provinces in South Africa offer the same salary levels to nurses. For those considering a nursing career or planning to relocate, knowing which province pays nurses the most can be very helpful. In South Africa, nursing salaries vary significantly depending on the province. Generally, provinces like Gauteng and the Western Cape tend to offer the highest salaries for nurses, often paying about 10-15% more than the national average.

These provinces have large urban centers with more private hospitals and healthcare facilities, which usually provide better pay and benefits. On the other hand, provinces such as KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape typically offer salaries slightly below the national average, although rural allowances may help offset this in less urban areas. Provinces like Limpopo and the Northern Cape often have lower base salaries but provide rural allowances ranging from 8% to 22% of the base pay to attract nurses to these regions. Several factors influence nursing salaries across provinces, including qualifications, years of experience, specialization, and whether the nurse works in the public or private sector.

Specialized nurses in fields like oncology, critical care, or psychiatry generally earn higher wages. Experience also plays a big role, with salaries increasing as nurses gain more years in the profession. Additionally, nurses working night shifts or weekends often receive extra pay. This article will explore these regional differences in nursing pay across South Africa and help guide those looking to choose the best province for their nursing career. Understanding where nurses earn the most can help make informed decisions about where to work, ensuring both professional growth and financial reward in 2026 and beyond.

Read On: 
How Much Does A Primary Health Care Nurse Earn?

Considerations for Aspiring Nurses

As a prospective nurse, it’s important to take various factors into account when deciding where to work. While a higher salary is attractive, other considerations include the cost of living, work-life balance, and career growth opportunities. Additionally, some provinces may have specific incentives or benefits for healthcare professionals, such as housing allowances or professional development programs.

Which Province Pays Nurses The Most?


These are the provinces that pay the most:

• Although nursing wages might vary across South Africa, the region of Gauteng is renowned for having some of the highest nursing salaries in the nation. This is mainly because Gauteng is home to Pretoria, the nation’s capital, and Johannesburg, the economic centre of the nation. These highly populated places have a strong demand for healthcare services, which makes nurses more competitive.
• Whether a nurse works in a public or private healthcare facility, Gauteng Province has a wide range of options. The province can provide healthcare professionals with competitive compensation packages thanks to its robust infrastructure and economy.
• It’s important to remember that other South African regions, including the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, provide nurses with attractive wages as well, despite having average incomes that are marginally lower than those in Gauteng. These provinces do offer some special benefits, though, such as a cheaper cost of living in some locations, which can help make up for the disparity in salary.

Average Salary Diploma Nurses Earn in SA

In South Africa, the average salaries that diploma nurses earn in South Africa, based on various nursing roles and experience levels, are listed below:

• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN): Salary ranges from approximately R600,000 to R1,100,000 per year, with an average of around R840,000.
• Registered Nurse (RN): Salaries vary widely, typically between R900,000 and R1,850,000 annually, averaging about R1,350,000. Entry-level RNs earn roughly R264,000 per year, while experienced nurses can earn significantly more depending on specialization.
• Nursing Manager: Managers earn between R1,260,000 and R2,050,000, with an average salary of R1,600,000.
• Wellness Director (Residential Care/Assisted Living): Estimated salaries range from R780,000 to R1,420,000, averaging about R1,070,000.
• MDS Coordinator: Estimated earnings are between R950,000 and R1,610,000, with an average of R1,250,000.
• Nurse Case Manager: Salary estimates range from R910,000 to R1,500,000, averaging approximately R1,170,000.
• Director of Nursing: Estimated salaries range from R1,030,000 to R1,940,000, with an average of around R1,400,000.
• Operations Supervisor: Earnings range from R750,000 to R1,500,000, averaging about R1,050,000.
• Executive Director: Estimated salary ranges between R890,000 and R2,200,000, with an average of R1,370,000.
• Specialized Roles (e.g., Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Registered Nurse): These roles can command higher salaries, ranging from R1,370,000 to R2,800,000, with an average of approximately R1,860,000.
• Registered Nurse Supervisor: Salaries range from R1,050,000 to R1,790,000, averaging around R1,360,000.
• Practice Manager: Estimated earnings range between R780,000 and R1,380,000, with an average of R1,030,000.
• Nurse Oncology: Salaries typically range from R810,000 to R1,420,000, averaging about R1,100,000.
• Wellness Director (General): Estimated salaries range from R640,000 to R1,320,000, with an average of around R930,000.

Factors Influencing Registered Nurses’ Salaries in South Africa

These are factors that greatly influence the salaries of registered nurses (RNs) in South Africa:

Qualifications and Specializations

• Advanced Education: Registered nurses who attain higher qualifications, such as Master’s or Doctorate degrees in nursing, often qualify for higher-paying roles in management, research, or specialized clinical fields.
• Specialized Certifications: Holding certifications in high-demand specialties like anesthesiology, critical care, oncology, or pediatric nursing enhances skills and substantially increases salary potential due to the complexity and expertise required.

Experience

• Years of Practice: Salary typically rises with experience. Nurses with more years in the profession often advance to roles requiring greater autonomy and advanced skills, such as clinical nurse specialists or nurse consultants.
• Continuous Professional Development: Participation in ongoing training, workshops, and seminars improves competencies and marketability, which can lead to salary increases.

Geographical Location

• Urban vs. Rural: Nurses working in major urban centers like Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban generally earn higher salaries compared to those in rural or less-developed areas. This is influenced by higher living costs in cities and a greater presence of private healthcare facilities that offer better compensation.
• Provincial Economic Differences: Provinces such as Gauteng and Western Cape typically provide higher pay scales than provinces like Eastern Cape or Limpopo, reflecting economic disparities and differences in healthcare funding.

DHET Contact Details

123 Fr​ancis Baard Street
Pretoria
0001
www.dhet.gov.za​

Call Centre Information
0800 87 2222
Email: callcentre@dhet.gov.za

Private Bag X174
Pretoria
0001​
Tel + 27 12 312 5911

For more inquiries, access the official website of the National Department of Health. Please share this website with other aspiring nurses for more information. Kindly leave a comment below.