Pay by Role
Australia · Salary comparison

Dentist vs Physical Therapist salary

In Australia, a dentist earns about 97% more than a physical therapist $309,511 vs $156,837 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
Physical Therapist
$156,837/yr
Monthly
$13,047
Hourly
$76
Range
$117,281$205,138
10-yr outlook
+15%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileDentistPhysical Therapist
Entry (10th)$212,008$117,281
25th$260,794$137,059
Median$309,511$156,837
75th$369,123$180,988
Senior (90th)$428,666$205,138

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a dentist or physical therapist earn more in Australia?
A dentist earns more, at about $446,000 per year vs $226,000 for a physical therapist — roughly 97% ($220,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Australia?
A dentist typically earns $305,500–$617,700, while a physical therapist earns $169,000–$295,600 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 physical therapist about $18,800.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Australia, a dentist earns about $305,500 while a physical therapist earns about $169,000 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Australia, a dentist earns about $617,700 while a physical therapist earns about $295,600 per year.
Are dentist and physical therapist 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.