Pay by Role
New Zealand · Salary comparison

Dentist vs Psychiatrist salary

In New Zealand, a psychiatrist earns about 40% more than a dentist $275,790 vs $196,910 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
Dentist
$196,910/yr
Monthly
$16,409
Hourly
$94
Range
$134,901$272,738
10-yr outlook
+4%
Pays more
Healthcare
Psychiatrist
$275,790/yr
Monthly
$22,973
Hourly
$132
Range
$188,907$381,960
10-yr outlook
+8%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileDentistPsychiatrist
Entry (10th)$134,901$188,907
25th$165,877$232,377
Median$196,910$275,790
75th$234,796$328,875
Senior (90th)$272,738$381,960

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a dentist or psychiatrist earn more in New Zealand?
A psychiatrist earns more, at about $479,000 per year vs $342,000 for a dentist — roughly 40% ($137,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in New Zealand?
A dentist typically earns $234,300–$473,700, while a psychiatrist earns $328,100–$663,400 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 psychiatrist about $39,900.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in New Zealand, a dentist earns about $234,300 while a psychiatrist earns about $328,100 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in New Zealand, a dentist earns about $473,700 while a psychiatrist earns about $663,400 per year.
Are dentist and psychiatrist 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.