Pay by Role
Australia · Salary comparison

Psychiatrist vs Surgeon salary

In Australia, a surgeon earns about 11% more than a psychiatrist $478,146 vs $431,650 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
Psychiatrist
$431,650/yr
Monthly
$35,948
Hourly
$207
Range
$295,701$597,856
10-yr outlook
+8%
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

PercentilePsychiatristSurgeon
Entry (10th)$295,701$306,041
25th$363,641$392,094
Median$431,650$478,146
75th$514,718$583,352
Senior (90th)$597,856$688,558

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a psychiatrist or surgeon earn more in Australia?
A surgeon earns more, at about $689,000 per year vs $622,000 for a psychiatrist — roughly 11% ($67,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Australia?
A psychiatrist typically earns $426,100–$861,500, 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 psychiatrist averages about $51,800 and a surgeon about $57,400.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Australia, a psychiatrist earns about $426,100 while a surgeon earns about $441,000 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Australia, a psychiatrist earns about $861,500 while a surgeon earns about $992,200 per year.
Are psychiatrist 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.