Pay by Role
New Zealand · Salary comparison

Physical Therapist vs Physician salary

In New Zealand, a physician earns about 101% more than a physical therapist $200,365 vs $99,607 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
Physical Therapist
$99,607/yr
Monthly
$8,291
Hourly
$48
Range
$74,504$130,295
10-yr outlook
+15%
Pays more
Healthcare
Physician
$200,365/yr
Monthly
$16,697
Hourly
$96
Range
$128,222$288,514
10-yr outlook
+3%

Pay range, side by side

PercentilePhysical TherapistPhysician
Entry (10th)$74,504$128,222
25th$87,055$164,322
Median$99,607$200,365
75th$114,922$244,468
Senior (90th)$130,295$288,514

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a physical therapist or physician earn more in New Zealand?
A physician earns more, at about $348,000 per year vs $173,000 for a physical therapist — roughly 101% ($175,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in New Zealand?
A physical therapist typically earns $129,400–$226,300, while a physician earns $222,700–$501,100 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in New Zealand?
On a monthly basis before tax, a physical therapist averages about $14,400 and a physician about $29,000.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in New Zealand, a physical therapist earns about $129,400 while a physician earns about $222,700 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in New Zealand, a physical therapist earns about $226,300 while a physician earns about $501,100 per year.
Are physical therapist and physician 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.