Pay by Role
New Zealand · Salary comparison

Dental Hygienist vs Physician salary

In New Zealand, a physician earns about 125% more than a dental hygienist $200,365 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
Physician
$200,365/yr
Monthly
$16,697
Hourly
$96
Range
$128,222$288,514
10-yr outlook
+3%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileDental HygienistPhysician
Entry (10th)$66,731$128,222
25th$78,016$164,322
Median$89,243$200,365
75th$103,004$244,468
Senior (90th)$116,707$288,514

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 physician earn more in New Zealand?
A physician earns more, at about $348,000 per year vs $155,000 for a dental hygienist — roughly 125% ($193,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in New Zealand?
A dental hygienist typically earns $115,900–$202,700, while a physician earns $222,700–$501,100 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 physician about $29,000.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in New Zealand, a dental hygienist earns about $115,900 while a physician earns about $222,700 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in New Zealand, a dental hygienist earns about $202,700 while a physician earns about $501,100 per year.
Are dental hygienist and physician 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.