Pay by Role
New Zealand · Salary comparison

Nurse Practitioner vs Optometrist salary

In New Zealand, a nurse practitioner earns about 2% more than a optometrist $144,516 vs $141,062 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
Nurse Practitioner
$144,516/yr
Monthly
$12,033
Hourly
$70
Range
$105,480$192,189
10-yr outlook
+45%
Healthcare
Optometrist
$141,062/yr
Monthly
$11,746
Hourly
$68
Range
$103,004$187,641
10-yr outlook
+9%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileNurse PractitionerOptometrist
Entry (10th)$105,480$103,004
25th$124,998$122,004
Median$144,516$141,062
75th$168,353$164,322
Senior (90th)$192,189$187,641

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a nurse practitioner or optometrist earn more in New Zealand?
A nurse practitioner earns more, at about $251,000 per year vs $245,000 for a optometrist — roughly 2% ($6,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in New Zealand?
A nurse practitioner typically earns $183,200–$333,800, while a optometrist earns $178,900–$325,900 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in New Zealand?
On a monthly basis before tax, a nurse practitioner averages about $20,900 and a optometrist about $20,400.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in New Zealand, a nurse practitioner earns about $183,200 while a optometrist earns about $178,900 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in New Zealand, a nurse practitioner earns about $333,800 while a optometrist earns about $325,900 per year.
Are nurse practitioner and optometrist 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.