Pay by Role
New Zealand · Salary comparison

Occupational Therapist vs Veterinarian salary

In New Zealand, a veterinarian earns about 24% more than a occupational therapist — $119,183 vs $96,152 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
Occupational Therapist
$96,152/yr
Monthly
$8,003
Hourly
$46
Range
$71,913–$125,746
10-yr outlook
+12%
Pays more
Healthcare
Veterinarian
$119,183/yr
Monthly
$9,961
Hourly
$58
Range
$83,773–$162,422
10-yr outlook
+19%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileOccupational TherapistVeterinarian
Entry (10th)$71,913$83,773
25th$84,061$101,507
Median$96,152$119,183
75th$110,949$140,831
Senior (90th)$125,746$162,422

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

More Healthcare comparisons

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Frequently asked questions

Does a occupational therapist or veterinarian earn more in New Zealand?
A veterinarian earns more, at about $207,000 per year vs $167,000 for a occupational therapist — roughly 24% ($40,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in New Zealand?
A occupational therapist typically earns $124,900–$218,400, while a veterinarian earns $145,500–$282,100 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in New Zealand?
On a monthly basis before tax, a occupational therapist averages about $13,900 and a veterinarian about $17,300.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in New Zealand, a occupational therapist earns about $124,900 while a veterinarian earns about $145,500 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in New Zealand, a occupational therapist earns about $218,400 while a veterinarian earns about $282,100 per year.
Are occupational therapist and veterinarian 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.