Pay by Role
New Zealand · Salary comparison

Dental Hygienist vs Pharmacist salary

In New Zealand, a pharmacist earns about 15% more than a dental hygienist $103,061 vs $89,243 per year.

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

Healthcare
Dental Hygienist
$89,243/yr
Monthly
$7,427
Hourly
$43
Range
$66,731$116,707
10-yr outlook
+9%
Pays more
Healthcare
Pharmacist
$103,061/yr
Monthly
$8,579
Hourly
$50
Range
$79,858$131,389
10-yr outlook
+3%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileDental HygienistPharmacist
Entry (10th)$66,731$79,858
25th$78,016$91,489
Median$89,243$103,061
75th$103,004$117,225
Senior (90th)$116,707$131,389

National New Zealand figures in NZD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a dental hygienist or pharmacist earn more in New Zealand?
A pharmacist earns more, at about $179,000 per year vs $155,000 for a dental hygienist — roughly 15% ($24,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in New Zealand?
A dental hygienist typically earns $115,900–$202,700, while a pharmacist earns $138,700–$228,200 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in New Zealand?
On a monthly basis before tax, a dental hygienist averages about $12,900 and a pharmacist about $14,900.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in New Zealand, a dental hygienist earns about $115,900 while a pharmacist earns about $138,700 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in New Zealand, a dental hygienist earns about $202,700 while a pharmacist earns about $228,200 per year.
Are dental hygienist and pharmacist 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.