Pay by Role
Australia · Salary comparison

Psychologist vs Surgeon salary

In Australia, a surgeon earns about 188% more than a psychologist $478,146 vs $165,859 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
Psychologist
$165,859/yr
Monthly
$13,810
Hourly
$80
Range
$113,603$229,704
10-yr outlook
+6%
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

PercentilePsychologistSurgeon
Entry (10th)$113,603$306,041
25th$139,766$392,094
Median$165,859$478,146
75th$197,782$583,352
Senior (90th)$229,704$688,558

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a psychologist or surgeon earn more in Australia?
A surgeon earns more, at about $689,000 per year vs $239,000 for a psychologist — roughly 188% ($450,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Australia?
A psychologist typically earns $163,700–$331,000, 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 psychologist averages about $19,900 and a surgeon about $57,400.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Australia, a psychologist earns about $163,700 while a surgeon earns about $441,000 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Australia, a psychologist earns about $331,000 while a surgeon earns about $992,200 per year.
Are psychologist 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.