Pay by Role
New Zealand · Salary comparison

Registered Nurse vs Veterinarian salary

In New Zealand, a veterinarian earns about 28% more than a registered nurse $119,183 vs $93,273 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
Registered Nurse
$93,273/yr
Monthly
$7,773
Hourly
$45
Range
$68,113$124,077
10-yr outlook
+6%
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

PercentileRegistered NurseVeterinarian
Entry (10th)$68,113$83,773
25th$80,664$101,507
Median$93,273$119,183
75th$108,646$140,831
Senior (90th)$124,077$162,422

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a registered nurse or veterinarian earn more in New Zealand?
A veterinarian earns more, at about $207,000 per year vs $162,000 for a registered nurse — roughly 28% ($45,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in New Zealand?
A registered nurse typically earns $118,300–$215,500, 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 registered nurse averages about $13,500 and a veterinarian about $17,300.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in New Zealand, a registered nurse earns about $118,300 while a veterinarian earns about $145,500 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in New Zealand, a registered nurse earns about $215,500 while a veterinarian earns about $282,100 per year.
Are registered nurse 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.