Pay by Role
Germany · Salary comparison

Physical Therapist vs Registered Nurse salary

In Germany, a physical therapist earns about 86% more than a registered nurse $147,128 vs $79,152 per year.

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

Pays more
Healthcare
Physical Therapist
$147,128/yr
Monthly
$12,318
Hourly
$71
Range
$110,061$192,406
10-yr outlook
+15%
Healthcare
Registered Nurse
$79,152/yr
Monthly
$6,615
Hourly
$38
Range
$57,825$105,270
10-yr outlook
+6%

Pay range, side by side

PercentilePhysical TherapistRegistered Nurse
Entry (10th)$110,061$57,825
25th$128,537$68,431
Median$147,128$79,152
75th$169,824$92,268
Senior (90th)$192,406$105,270

National Germany figures in EUR. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a physical therapist or registered nurse earn more in Germany?
A physical therapist earns more, at about 129.000 € per year vs 69.400 € for a registered nurse — roughly 86% (59.600 €) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Germany?
A physical therapist typically earns 96.500 €–168.700 €, while a registered nurse earns 50.700 €–92.300 € per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in Germany?
On a monthly basis before tax, a physical therapist averages about 10.800 € and a registered nurse about 5.800 €.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Germany, a physical therapist earns about 96.500 € while a registered nurse earns about 50.700 € per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Germany, a physical therapist earns about 168.700 € while a registered nurse earns about 92.300 € 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.