Occupational Therapist Salary in New Zealand

Occupational Therapist in New Zealand: read the median against a +12% outlook

The New Zealand national median for a occupational therapist is $167,000 a year. Among 3 metros with observed data, pay runs from about $110,000 in Christchurch to $126,000 in Wellington (1.1×).

Occupational therapists help patients regain skills for daily living and work after injury or illness. Common screening skills include Rehabilitation, Assessment, Planning, and Empathy.

A modeled national band runs about $124,900–$218,400 around that midpoint. Licensing and immigration rules are independent of this cash sort. Employment outlook for the occupation is sketched at +12% over a decade — a national demand guess, not a hiring guarantee in every New Zealand city.

Wellington sits -25% vs the national median; Christchurch sits -34%. Relocating inside New Zealand for this title can move cash more than a small raise at the same desk. Open a city page for take-home and rent context — this national page is the map, not the offer.

New Zealand shows about 2.8% CPI in 2025. A occupational therapist raise that trails inflation is a real-pay cut even if it still beats last year’s peers. This occupation is also covered in 39 other countries — useful for remote or relocation shortlists, after FX and local tax. Nearby healthcare titles on this site include Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician, and Pharmacist.