Pay by Role
Australia · Salary comparison

Physical Therapist vs Psychologist salary

In Australia, a psychologist earns about 6% more than a physical therapist — $165,859 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
Psychologist
$165,859/yr
Monthly
$13,810
Hourly
$80
Range
$113,603–$229,704
10-yr outlook
+6%

Pay range, side by side

PercentilePhysical TherapistPsychologist
Entry (10th)$117,281$113,603
25th$137,059$139,766
Median$156,837$165,859
75th$180,988$197,782
Senior (90th)$205,138$229,704

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 psychologist earn more in Australia?
A psychologist earns more, at about $239,000 per year vs $226,000 for a physical therapist — roughly 6% ($13,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Australia?
A physical therapist typically earns $169,000–$295,600, while a psychologist earns $163,700–$331,000 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 psychologist about $19,900.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Australia, a physical therapist earns about $169,000 while a psychologist earns about $163,700 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Australia, a physical therapist earns about $295,600 while a psychologist earns about $331,000 per year.
Are physical therapist and psychologist 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.