Pay by Role
South Korea · Salary comparison

Physical Therapist vs Surgeon salary

In South Korea, a surgeon earns about 204% more than a physical therapist $331,259 vs $108,903 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is KRW). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Healthcare
Physical Therapist
$108,903/yr
Monthly
$9,075
Hourly
$52
Range
$81,460$142,446
10-yr outlook
+15%
Pays more
Healthcare
Surgeon
$331,259/yr
Monthly
$27,605
Hourly
$159
Range
$212,006$477,013
10-yr outlook
+3%

Pay range, side by side

PercentilePhysical TherapistSurgeon
Entry (10th)$81,460$212,006
25th$95,181$271,633
Median$108,903$331,259
75th$125,674$404,136
Senior (90th)$142,446$477,013

National South Korea figures in KRW. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a physical therapist or surgeon earn more in South Korea?
A surgeon earns more, at about ₩497,330,000 per year vs ₩163,500,000 for a physical therapist — roughly 204% (₩333,830,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in South Korea?
A physical therapist typically earns ₩122,298,000–₩213,858,000, while a surgeon earns ₩318,291,200–₩716,155,200 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in South Korea?
On a monthly basis before tax, a physical therapist averages about ₩13,625,000 and a surgeon about ₩41,444,200.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Korea, a physical therapist earns about ₩122,298,000 while a surgeon earns about ₩318,291,200 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in South Korea, a physical therapist earns about ₩213,858,000 while a surgeon earns about ₩716,155,200 per year.
Are physical therapist 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.