Pay by Role
Australia · Salary comparison

Occupational Therapist vs Surgeon salary

In Australia, a surgeon earns about 218% more than a occupational therapist $478,146 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
Surgeon
$478,146/yr
Monthly
$39,834
Hourly
$230
Range
$306,041$688,558
10-yr outlook
+3%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileOccupational TherapistSurgeon
Entry (10th)$112,632$306,041
25th$131,646$392,094
Median$150,592$478,146
75th$173,770$583,352
Senior (90th)$196,949$688,558

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a occupational therapist or surgeon earn more in Australia?
A surgeon earns more, at about $689,000 per year vs $217,000 for a occupational therapist — roughly 218% ($472,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Australia?
A occupational therapist typically earns $162,300–$283,800, while a surgeon earns $441,000–$992,200 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 surgeon about $57,400.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Australia, a occupational therapist earns about $162,300 while a surgeon earns about $441,000 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Australia, a occupational therapist earns about $283,800 while a surgeon earns about $992,200 per year.
Are occupational therapist and surgeon 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.