Pay by Role
Australia · Salary comparison

Physical Therapist vs Psychiatrist salary

In Australia, a psychiatrist earns about 175% more than a physical therapist — $431,650 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

Healthcare
Physical Therapist
$156,837/yr
Monthly
$13,047
Hourly
$76
Range
$117,281–$205,138
10-yr outlook
+15%
Pays more
Healthcare
Psychiatrist
$431,650/yr
Monthly
$35,948
Hourly
$207
Range
$295,701–$597,856
10-yr outlook
+8%

Pay range, side by side

PercentilePhysical TherapistPsychiatrist
Entry (10th)$117,281$295,701
25th$137,059$363,641
Median$156,837$431,650
75th$180,988$514,718
Senior (90th)$205,138$597,856

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

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Frequently asked questions

Does a physical therapist or psychiatrist earn more in Australia?
A psychiatrist earns more, at about $622,000 per year vs $226,000 for a physical therapist — roughly 175% ($396,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Australia?
A physical therapist typically earns $169,000–$295,600, while a psychiatrist earns $426,100–$861,500 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in Australia?
On a monthly basis before tax, a physical therapist averages about $18,800 and a psychiatrist about $51,800.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Australia, a physical therapist earns about $169,000 while a psychiatrist earns about $426,100 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Australia, a physical therapist earns about $295,600 while a psychiatrist earns about $861,500 per year.
Are physical therapist and psychiatrist 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.