Pay by Role
Australia · Salary comparison

Dentist vs Nurse Practitioner salary

In Australia, a dentist earns about 38% more than a nurse practitioner $309,511 vs $224,847 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is AUD). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Pays more
Healthcare
Dentist
$309,511/yr
Monthly
$25,816
Hourly
$149
Range
$212,008$428,666
10-yr outlook
+4%
Healthcare
Nurse Practitioner
$224,847/yr
Monthly
$18,737
Hourly
$108
Range
$164,124$299,032
10-yr outlook
+45%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileDentistNurse Practitioner
Entry (10th)$212,008$164,124
25th$260,794$194,520
Median$309,511$224,847
75th$369,123$261,974
Senior (90th)$428,666$299,032

National Australia figures in AUD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a dentist or nurse practitioner earn more in Australia?
A dentist earns more, at about $446,000 per year vs $324,000 for a nurse practitioner — roughly 38% ($122,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Australia?
A dentist typically earns $305,500–$617,700, while a nurse practitioner earns $236,500–$430,900 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in Australia?
On a monthly basis before tax, a dentist averages about $37,200 and a nurse practitioner about $27,000.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Australia, a dentist earns about $305,500 while a nurse practitioner earns about $236,500 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Australia, a dentist earns about $617,700 while a nurse practitioner earns about $430,900 per year.
Are dentist and nurse practitioner similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Healthcare category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.