Pay by Role
New Zealand · Salary comparison

Dentist vs Surgeon salary

In New Zealand, a surgeon earns about 54% more than a dentist — $303,426 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
Surgeon
$303,426/yr
Monthly
$25,276
Hourly
$146
Range
$194,204–$436,945
10-yr outlook
+3%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileDentistSurgeon
Entry (10th)$134,901$194,204
25th$165,877$248,787
Median$196,910$303,426
75th$234,796$370,157
Senior (90th)$272,738$436,945

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Dentist vs Dental HygienistDentist vs Nurse PractitionerDentist vs Occupational TherapistDentist vs OptometristDentist vs PharmacistDentist vs Physical Therapist

Frequently asked questions

Does a dentist or surgeon earn more in New Zealand?
A surgeon earns more, at about $527,000 per year vs $342,000 for a dentist — roughly 54% ($185,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in New Zealand?
A dentist typically earns $234,300–$473,700, while a surgeon earns $337,300–$758,900 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 surgeon about $43,900.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in New Zealand, a dentist earns about $234,300 while a surgeon earns about $337,300 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in New Zealand, a dentist earns about $473,700 while a surgeon earns about $758,900 per year.
Are dentist and surgeon 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.