Pay by Role
Australia · Salary comparison

Occupational Therapist vs Physical Therapist salary

In Australia, a physical therapist earns about 4% more than a occupational therapist — $156,837 vs $150,592 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

Healthcare
Occupational Therapist
$150,592/yr
Monthly
$12,561
Hourly
$72
Range
$112,632–$196,949
10-yr outlook
+12%
Pays more
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

PercentileOccupational TherapistPhysical Therapist
Entry (10th)$112,632$117,281
25th$131,646$137,059
Median$150,592$156,837
75th$173,770$180,988
Senior (90th)$196,949$205,138

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

More Healthcare comparisons

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Frequently asked questions

Does a occupational therapist or physical therapist earn more in Australia?
A physical therapist earns more, at about $226,000 per year vs $217,000 for a occupational therapist — roughly 4% ($9,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Australia?
A occupational therapist typically earns $162,300–$283,800, 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 occupational therapist averages about $18,100 and a physical therapist about $18,800.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Australia, a occupational therapist earns about $162,300 while a physical therapist earns about $169,000 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Australia, a occupational therapist earns about $283,800 while a physical therapist earns about $295,600 per year.
Are occupational therapist 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.