Pay by Role
New Zealand · Salary comparison

Pharmacist vs Surgeon salary

In New Zealand, a surgeon earns about 194% more than a pharmacist — $303,426 vs $103,061 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
Pharmacist
$103,061/yr
Monthly
$8,579
Hourly
$50
Range
$79,858–$131,389
10-yr outlook
+3%
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

PercentilePharmacistSurgeon
Entry (10th)$79,858$194,204
25th$91,489$248,787
Median$103,061$303,426
75th$117,225$370,157
Senior (90th)$131,389$436,945

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 pharmacist or surgeon earn more in New Zealand?
A surgeon earns more, at about $527,000 per year vs $179,000 for a pharmacist — roughly 194% ($348,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in New Zealand?
A pharmacist typically earns $138,700–$228,200, 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 pharmacist averages about $14,900 and a surgeon about $43,900.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in New Zealand, a pharmacist earns about $138,700 while a surgeon earns about $337,300 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in New Zealand, a pharmacist earns about $228,200 while a surgeon earns about $758,900 per year.
Are pharmacist 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.