Pay by Role
New Zealand · Salary comparison

Dentist vs Psychologist salary

In New Zealand, a dentist earns about 80% more than a psychologist $196,910 vs $109,395 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
Psychologist
$109,395/yr
Monthly
$9,097
Hourly
$52
Range
$74,964$151,540
10-yr outlook
+6%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileDentistPsychologist
Entry (10th)$134,901$74,964
25th$165,877$92,179
Median$196,910$109,395
75th$234,796$130,468
Senior (90th)$272,738$151,540

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a dentist or psychologist earn more in New Zealand?
A dentist earns more, at about $342,000 per year vs $190,000 for a psychologist — roughly 80% ($152,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in New Zealand?
A dentist typically earns $234,300–$473,700, while a psychologist earns $130,200–$263,200 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 psychologist about $15,800.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in New Zealand, a dentist earns about $234,300 while a psychologist earns about $130,200 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in New Zealand, a dentist earns about $473,700 while a psychologist earns about $263,200 per year.
Are dentist and psychologist 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.