Pay by Role
Australia · Salary comparison

Physician Assistant vs Psychiatrist salary

In Australia, a psychiatrist earns about 91% more than a physician assistant $431,650 vs $226,235 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
Physician Assistant
$226,235/yr
Monthly
$18,876
Hourly
$109
Range
$165,165$300,906
10-yr outlook
+27%
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

PercentilePhysician AssistantPsychiatrist
Entry (10th)$165,165$295,701
25th$195,700$363,641
Median$226,235$431,650
75th$263,570$514,718
Senior (90th)$300,906$597,856

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a physician assistant or psychiatrist earn more in Australia?
A psychiatrist earns more, at about $622,000 per year vs $326,000 for a physician assistant — roughly 91% ($296,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Australia?
A physician assistant typically earns $238,000–$433,600, 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 physician assistant averages about $27,200 and a psychiatrist about $51,800.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Australia, a physician assistant earns about $238,000 while a psychiatrist earns about $426,100 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Australia, a physician assistant earns about $433,600 while a psychiatrist earns about $861,500 per year.
Are physician assistant 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.