Pay by Role
Australia · Salary comparison

Dentist vs Physician salary

In Australia, a dentist earns about 58% more than a physician $309,511 vs $195,700 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
Physician
$195,700/yr
Monthly
$16,308
Hourly
$94
Range
$125,262$281,822
10-yr outlook
+3%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileDentistPhysician
Entry (10th)$212,008$125,262
25th$260,794$160,446
Median$309,511$195,700
75th$369,123$238,726
Senior (90th)$428,666$281,822

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a dentist or physician earn more in Australia?
A dentist earns more, at about $446,000 per year vs $282,000 for a physician — roughly 58% ($164,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Australia?
A dentist typically earns $305,500–$617,700, while a physician earns $180,500–$406,100 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 physician about $23,500.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Australia, a dentist earns about $305,500 while a physician earns about $180,500 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Australia, a dentist earns about $617,700 while a physician earns about $406,100 per year.
Are dentist and physician 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.