Pay by Role
New Zealand · Salary comparison

Dentist vs Nurse Practitioner salary

In New Zealand, a dentist earns about 36% more than a nurse practitioner $196,910 vs $144,516 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

Pays more
Healthcare
Dentist
$196,910/yr
Monthly
$16,409
Hourly
$94
Range
$134,901$272,738
10-yr outlook
+4%
Healthcare
Nurse Practitioner
$144,516/yr
Monthly
$12,033
Hourly
$70
Range
$105,480$192,189
10-yr outlook
+45%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileDentistNurse Practitioner
Entry (10th)$134,901$105,480
25th$165,877$124,998
Median$196,910$144,516
75th$234,796$168,353
Senior (90th)$272,738$192,189

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a dentist or nurse practitioner earn more in New Zealand?
A dentist earns more, at about $342,000 per year vs $251,000 for a nurse practitioner — roughly 36% ($91,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in New Zealand?
A dentist typically earns $234,300–$473,700, while a nurse practitioner earns $183,200–$333,800 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in New Zealand?
On a monthly basis before tax, a dentist averages about $28,500 and a nurse practitioner about $20,900.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in New Zealand, a dentist earns about $234,300 while a nurse practitioner earns about $183,200 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in New Zealand, a dentist earns about $473,700 while a nurse practitioner earns about $333,800 per year.
Are dentist and nurse practitioner 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.