Nurse Practitioner vs Physician Assistant salary
In New Zealand, a physician assistant earns about 1% more than a nurse practitioner — $146,243 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
Healthcare
Nurse Practitioner$144,516/yr
- Monthly
- $12,033
- Hourly
- $70
- Range
- $105,480–$192,189
- 10-yr outlook
- +45%
Pays more
Healthcare
Physician Assistant$146,243/yr
- Monthly
- $12,206
- Hourly
- $70
- Range
- $106,746–$194,492
- 10-yr outlook
- +27%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Nurse Practitioner | Physician Assistant |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $105,480 | $106,746 |
| 25th | $124,998 | $126,495 |
| Median | $144,516 | $146,243 |
| 75th | $168,353 | $170,368 |
| Senior (90th) | $192,189 | $194,492 |
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 physician assistant earn more in New Zealand?
- A physician assistant earns more, at about $254,000 per year vs $251,000 for a nurse practitioner — roughly 1% ($3,000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in New Zealand?
- A nurse practitioner typically earns $183,200–$333,800, while a physician assistant earns $185,400–$337,800 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 physician assistant about $21,200.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in New Zealand, a nurse practitioner earns about $183,200 while a physician assistant earns about $185,400 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in New Zealand, a nurse practitioner earns about $333,800 while a physician assistant earns about $337,800 per year.
- Are nurse practitioner and physician assistant 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.