Pay by Role
China · Salary comparison

Physical Therapist vs Registered Nurse salary

In China, a physical therapist earns about 9% more than a registered nurse $78,909 vs $72,567 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is CNY). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Pays more
Healthcare
Physical Therapist
$78,909/yr
Monthly
$6,578
Hourly
$38
Range
$59,027$103,216
10-yr outlook
+15%
Healthcare
Registered Nurse
$72,567/yr
Monthly
$6,047
Hourly
$35
Range
$52,980$96,520
10-yr outlook
+6%

Pay range, side by side

PercentilePhysical TherapistRegistered Nurse
Entry (10th)$59,027$52,980
25th$68,968$62,773
Median$78,909$72,567
75th$91,062$84,543
Senior (90th)$103,216$96,520

National China figures in CNY. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a physical therapist or registered nurse earn more in China?
A physical therapist earns more, at about ¥535,000 per year vs ¥492,000 for a registered nurse — roughly 9% (¥43,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in China?
A physical therapist typically earns ¥400,200–¥699,800, while a registered nurse earns ¥359,200–¥654,400 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in China?
On a monthly basis before tax, a physical therapist averages about ¥44,600 and a registered nurse about ¥41,000.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in China, a physical therapist earns about ¥400,200 while a registered nurse earns about ¥359,200 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in China, a physical therapist earns about ¥699,800 while a registered nurse earns about ¥654,400 per year.
Are physical therapist and registered nurse 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.