Radiation oncologist salary data in South Africa is limited. PayScale reports an average of R420,000 per year, equivalent to R35,000 per month, based on only eight profiles updated on 4 December 2025. Its 25th to 75th percentile range runs from about R74,000 to R892,000. Public sector adverts suggest higher pay: a Gauteng radiation oncology specialist post offered an all-inclusive package of R1,341,855 per year, or about R111,821 per month. A related KwaZulu-Natal specialist advert lists R1,531,032 at five years of experience and R1,773,222 at ten. These figures come from different sources and sample types, so treat them as indicative.
A radiation oncologist is a medical specialist who treats cancer with radiation therapy. They assess patients, plan treatment and oversee its delivery.
Radiation oncologists work mainly in public academic hospitals, oncology units and private cancer centres. They work alongside medical physicists, radiographers and nurses.
The role differs from a medical oncologist, who treats cancer mainly with drugs, and from a radiographer, who operates treatment equipment.
Key takeaways
- Average salary: R420,000 per year, or R35,000 per month, according to PayScale in December 2025, based on only eight profiles.
- PayScale range: About R74,000 to R892,000 per year between the 25th and 75th percentiles.
- Public sector advert: R1,341,855 per year, all-inclusive, for a Gauteng radiation oncology specialist post that closed in August 2025.
- Experience grades: A related KwaZulu-Natal specialist advert lists R1,341,855, R1,531,032 and R1,773,222 for Grades 1, 2 and 3.
- Package structure: That advert describes the package as 70% basic salary and 30% flexible portion.
- Registration: Public adverts require HPCSA registration as a Medical Specialist in Radiation Oncology.
- Training: UCT describes a four-year specialist training programme leading to the FC Rad Onc (SA) exams.
- Data gaps: No verified city-level, private practice or Indeed figures could be established.
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What is the average radiation oncologist salary in South Africa?
PayScale reports an average radiation oncologist salary of R420,000 per year.
This is equivalent to R35,000 per month, calculated.
The estimate is based on eight salary profiles, and the page shows a December 2025 update date.
PayScale’s base salary range runs from about R74,000 (25th percentile) to R892,000 (75th percentile).
The page has internal inconsistencies. Its average and median are identical, and some summary fields display no usable values.
Public sector adverts give a very different picture. A Gauteng Department of Health post for a radiation oncology specialist offered R1,341,855 per year as an all-inclusive remuneration package.
That is about R111,821 per month, calculated.
The two sources measure different things. PayScale reports user-submitted salary data, while the advert states what an employer offered for a post.
Indeed’s South African oncologist page displayed no salary data when checked, so it is not used here.
Radiation oncologist salary comparison
| Salary benchmark | Monthly salary | Annual equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Radiation oncologist, PayScale 25th percentile (rounded) | R6,167 | R74,000 |
| Radiation oncologist, PayScale average | R35,000 | R420,000 |
| Radiation oncologist, PayScale 75th percentile (rounded) | R74,333 | R892,000 |
| Radiation oncology specialist, Gauteng advert (closed August 2025) | R111,821 | R1,341,855 |
| Medical specialist Grade 1, KwaZulu-Natal advert (related specialty, January 2026) | R111,821 | R1,341,855 |
| Medical specialist Grade 2, KwaZulu-Natal advert (related specialty, January 2026) | R127,586 | R1,531,032 |
| Medical specialist Grade 3, KwaZulu-Natal advert (related specialty, January 2026) | R147,769 | R1,773,222 |
Source: PayScale South Africa and Department of Health vacancy adverts, 2025 and 2026.
The KwaZulu-Natal rows come from an obstetrics and gynaecology advert. They show the grade structure for medical specialists but may not apply to radiation oncology in every province.
Where a source reports an annual amount, the monthly figure is calculated by dividing by 12. Advertised packages are offers, not averages of actual earnings.
Radiation oncologist salary by experience
Registrar salary
Registrars are qualified doctors training to become specialists. Radiation oncology registrar posts exist in several provinces.
No reliable registrar salary figure was established for this guide.
Newly qualified radiation oncologist salary
Public adverts place newly registered specialists at Grade 1, which requires no experience after HPCSA specialist registration.
The Gauteng radiation oncology advert offered R1,341,855 per year, equivalent to about R111,821 per month.
Experienced radiation oncologist salary
Grade 2 requires at least five years of appropriate experience after registration. The related KwaZulu-Natal advert lists R1,531,032 per year for Grade 2.
That is about R127,586 per month, calculated.
Senior radiation oncologist salary
Grade 3 requires at least ten years of experience. The related KwaZulu-Natal advert lists R1,773,222 per year, or about R147,769 per month.
Head of department salary
Radiation oncology specialists in public hospitals may assist the head of department with unit management. There is insufficient reliable data to establish a head of department salary for this specialty.
Radiation oncologist salary by location
Radiation oncology services operate mainly from larger hospitals and cancer centres, including academic hospitals in Gauteng and the Western Cape.
No credible city-level salary data was found. Public sector pay follows the grade and package of the post, not the city.
There is insufficient reliable data to compare radiation oncologist salaries in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, Durban or Gqeberha.
What does a radiation oncologist do?
A radiation oncologist leads the radiation treatment of cancer patients.
Duties in recent Gauteng adverts include:
- Assessing patients clinically and confirming treatment plans.
- Planning radiation therapy.
- Overseeing the delivery of radiotherapy.
- Following up patients during and after treatment.
- Attending multidisciplinary cancer meetings.
- Helping to reduce treatment backlogs.
- Delivering care that is safe, evidence-based and ethical.
- Assisting the head of department with daily unit management.
- Supervising registrars’ clinical work.
- Teaching registrars in formal and informal settings.
- Supervising registrars working towards their MMed degrees.
- Pursuing clinical research.
- Providing after-hours ward cover and handling emergencies.
Duties differ between public academic units and private practices.
Types of radiation oncologist careers
Public sector specialist
Public hospitals employ radiation oncology specialists through provincial health departments. Posts follow graded, all-inclusive packages.
Academic radiation oncologist
Academic posts combine patient care, teaching and research. The Gauteng advert listed experience in teaching or mentoring registrars as advantageous.
Private practice radiation oncologist
Private cancer centres also employ or contract radiation oncologists. No verified salary data for private practice was found.
Related careers
Medical oncologists, radiographers and medical physicists work in the same treatment teams. Their qualifications and salaries are separate and should not be compared directly.
What qualifications do you need to become a radiation oncologist?
The route is long and regulated. Specialist registration is a requirement for specialist posts, not a preference.
Medical degree and registration
You first need an MBChB and HPCSA registration as a medical practitioner. The SAQA record for the MMed in Radiation Oncology lists both as entry requirements.
Specialist training
Trainees join an accredited registrar post. UCT describes a four-year specialist training programme with registrar posts registered with the HPCSA.
MMed qualification
SAQA lists the Master of Medicine in Radiation Oncology at NQF Level 9 with at least 480 credits. It aims to train doctors to be specialists in radiation oncology.
Fellowship examination
UCT states that trainees are eligible to sit the FC Rad Onc (SA) examinations at the end of training.
HPCSA specialist registration
The Gauteng adverts require registration as a Medical Specialist in Radiation Oncology, or a qualification that allows it. No experience after registration is needed for the entry grade.
Other advert requirements
Foreign qualifications require a SAQA evaluation certificate. The Gauteng advert also stated a preference for South African citizens.
What affects radiation oncologist salary?
Grade and experience
Public specialist grades depend on years of experience after registration: none, five or ten.
Private or public employer
Public posts follow set packages. No verified private practice figures were found.
Package structure
The KwaZulu-Natal advert describes the package as 70% basic salary and 30% flexible portion. Comparing offers means comparing the whole package.
After-hours work
The Gauteng advert mentions extended hours for emergencies. The KwaZulu-Natal advert refers to commuted overtime, subject to conditions.
Academic duties
Teaching, supervision and research add responsibilities. Whether they change pay depends on the post.
Province and facility
Different provinces advertise their own posts, so the package can differ. The data reviewed is too limited to quantify this.
How to increase your radiation oncologist salary
Progress through the specialist grades
Public posts reward experience after registration. Completing five and ten years moves a specialist towards Grades 2 and 3.
Build teaching and supervision experience
Advertisers value experience in teaching and mentoring registrars. Academic units may offer additional responsibility.
Contribute to clinical research
Research is part of the duties listed in public adverts. A record of published work supports academic appointments.
Develop clinical depth
Experience across the full range of radiation oncology services, including planning and follow-up, strengthens applications for senior posts.
Compare total remuneration
Check basic pay, the flexible portion, commuted overtime and other allowances before accepting an offer.
What employers should know
Employers should benchmark specialist offers against the grade structure, not only the headline package.
Adverts should state the package structure, after-hours duties and teaching responsibilities.
They should verify HPCSA specialist registration and any SAQA evaluation of foreign qualifications.
What employees should know
Confirm whether a quoted figure is an all-inclusive package, basic salary or net pay.
Ask how the flexible portion can be structured and how commuted overtime is calculated.
Check the grade offered and how your years of post-registration experience are recognised.
FAQ: radiation oncologist salary
How much does a radiation oncologist earn in South Africa?
PayScale reports an average of R420,000 per year from only eight profiles. A Gauteng public sector advert offered an all-inclusive package of R1,341,855 per year. The two figures differ widely, so treat both as indicative.
What is the average radiation oncologist salary per month?
PayScale’s average equals about R35,000 per month, calculated from its annual figure. The Gauteng advert’s package equals about R111,821 per month. The figures come from different sources and cannot be combined into one reliable average.
What is the average radiation oncologist salary per year?
PayScale reports R420,000 per year, updated in December 2025 with a wide percentile range of about R74,000 to R892,000. A public advert offered R1,341,855, so the true level depends heavily on the employer.
What is the starting salary for a radiation oncologist?
A Gauteng advert for a radiation oncology specialist with no post-registration experience offered R1,341,855 per year, or about R111,821 per month. This is an employer offer, not a verified average starting salary.
How much does a senior radiation oncologist earn?
A related KwaZulu-Natal specialist advert lists R1,773,222 per year for Grade 3, which requires at least ten years of experience. This was for obstetrics and gynaecology, so it is a related benchmark only.
How much does a radiation oncologist earn in Johannesburg or Cape Town?
No reliable city-level data exists. Public sector pay follows the grade and package of each post, and private practice earnings are not published. Check individual adverts for the current package.
How long does it take to become a radiation oncologist?
After the medical degree and registration, UCT describes a four-year specialist training programme. Candidates then register with the HPCSA as specialists. The total timeline also includes the medical degree and any required internship and community service.
What qualifications do you need to become a radiation oncologist?
You need an MBChB, HPCSA registration, accredited registrar training and an MMed in Radiation Oncology. Public adverts require HPCSA specialist registration, and trainees are eligible for the FC Rad Onc (SA) examinations after training.
Do radiation oncologists get paid for after-hours work?
Adverts mention after-hours emergency work, and a KwaZulu-Natal advert refers to commuted overtime subject to conditions. How it is paid depends on the employer, so confirm the terms before accepting a post.
Is radiation oncology a good career in South Africa?
Advertised packages exceed R1.3 million per year, and the specialty combines patient care, teaching and research. Training is long and competitive, and posts are limited to facilities with radiotherapy services.
Sources
- PayScale, Average Radiation Oncologist Salary in South Africa, December 2025
https://www.payscale.com/research/ZA/Job=Radiation_Oncologist/Salary - Gauteng Department of Health, Medical Specialist in Radiation Oncology at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital, July 2025
https://www.gauteng.net/whats-on-g/medical-specialist-in-radiation-oncology-vacancy-at-dr-george-mukhari-academic-hospital/ - Gauteng Department of Health, Medical Specialist Re-advertisement, Radiation Oncology, June 2026
https://www.myjobmag.co.za/job/medical-specialist-re-advertisement-radiation-oncology-gauteng-department-of-health - KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, Medical Specialist Grade 1, 2 or 3 (Obstetrics and Gynae), January 2026
https://www.myjobmag.co.za/job/medical-specialist-grade-1-2-or-3-obstetrics-gynae-kwazulu-natal-department-of-health - University of Cape Town, Radiation Oncology Educational Activities
https://health.uct.ac.za/node/10418 - South African Qualifications Authority, Master of Medicine in Radiation Oncology (QUAL ID 112431)
https://allqs.saqa.org.za/showQualification.php?id=112431
