New Zealand is a stunning country, offering magnificent green landscapes, mountainous national parks, enticing hot springs, vibrant nightlife, incredible outdoor adventures, and a rich diversity of flora and fauna. It caters to a wide range of interests and is an ideal destination for a holiday, and even more so if you choose to make it your home.
New Zealand boasts an array of appealing attributes. It provides a pristine environment and an extensive coastline spanning two islands, ensuring an excellent work-life balance for medical professionals. Whether you are single or have a family, you will find a plethora of activities to engage in, both in your professional life and during your leisure time.
If you’re a native, you likely are already familiar with all of the above. What an amazing place you live in! But is studying and working as a doctor in this land of plenty worth it?
Key Takeaways
- Doctors in New Zealand earn an average salary of $152,900 per year, with significant variation based on specialty, experience, and sector.
- General Practitioners (GPs) typically earn between $190,000–$240,000, while top specialists like surgeons and cardiologists can exceed $500,000 annually.
- Public sector roles offer job security and benefits, while private practice offers higher income potential but greater financial risk.
- Many doctors boost their earnings through locum work, academic teaching, medico-legal consulting, and telehealth services.
How Much Do Doctors Work on Average?
In New Zealand, the Resident Doctors' Association reports that the working hours for junior doctors average between 55 and 60 hours a week. Full-fledged doctors may only need to work 40 hours per week, depending on their specialty and location.
It's worth noting that doctors can work up to 12 days in a row without a break. To ensure the well-being of physicians and the safety of patients, there are safeguards in place to regulate their working hours.
Specifically, resident doctors in New Zealand cannot work more than 16 hours in a single day and are limited to a maximum of 72 working hours in a week. These regulations are put in place to prevent doctors from working unmanageable hours and to maintain a high standard of patient care.
Work-life balance is highly regarded in New Zealand, so even doctors must be able to rest and recharge regularly.
What Factors Influence a Doctor’s Salary in New Zealand?
Doctors' salaries are generally relatively high by national standards. However, various factors influence how much doctors earn.
Years of experience
Urban vs rural location
Public vs private sector
Specialty choice
Additional skills (teaching, research, leadership)
1. Experience and Career Stage
Like many other careers, seniority and experience will boost earning potential. Entry-level doctors (House Officers) may earn around $70,000-$90,000, whereas experienced consultants and specialists can earn $200,000-$300,000.
2. Location
In the same way that doctors worldwide aren't paid the same, doctors within New Zealand may see their salaries affected by their location.
Major urban centres like Auckland and Wellington may have more specialist roles and private opportunities.
Rural and regional placements often come with extra incentives but potentially lower salaries.
3. Public vs Private Sector
Doctors tend to start their careers in the public system under the employment of District Health Boards (DHBs) with standardised pay.
Private practice offers higher income potential, especially with lucrative specialisations.
4. Overtime and On-call Shifts
Junior doctors can earn well above their base salary with overtime, night shifts, and weekend work. This boosts income but can also lead to burnout.
5. Specialisation
Certain specialties earn more. Surgeons, anaesthetists, and dermatologists earn more than general practitioners or public health doctors.
This is usually because of their longer training and a higher demand for their skills.
6. Additional Roles and Qualifications
Doctors can also earn more by taking on additional teaching, research, or medical leadership roles.
What is the Average Doctor Salary New Zealand?
While your specialty, region, place of work, and whether you’re in the private or public sector are all influential factors in pay, let’s talk about what you can generally expect to be paid as a doctor.
So how much does a doctor earn in NZ?
per year.
Pay by Experience Level in New Zealand
The starting salary in New Zealand is usually $71,304 gross pay per year.
| Role | Salary |
|---|---|
| House Officers (0-3 years) | $85,000 |
| Registrars (3-9 years) | $140,000 |
| Consultants (9+ years) | $184,000 |
| Experienced Consultants (20+ years) | $300,000 |
In New Zealand, when it comes to doctors' salaries, Registrars and House Officers/House Surgeons working at a District Health Board (DHB) typically receive the lower end of the pay scale, whereas General Practitioners (GPs) and Medical Specialists generally command higher incomes.
*Figures are from the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS)
Entry-Level vs Senior Doctor Salaries
How much do doctors' salaries change across their careers?
We've already mentioned that their early years will be less well-remunerated than their last, but the long-term payoff of being a doctor is worth it.
Entry-Level: House Officer (PGY1–PGY2)
When you first graduate with your MBChB, you’ll enter the workforce as a House Officer, typically earning:
- PGY1 (first year): ~$70,000 – $80,000
- PGY2 (second year): ~$80,000 – $95,000
These roles are salaried, with opportunities to earn more through overtime, on-call shifts, and night/weekend rates. Often adding $10,000–$20,000+ per year in extra income.
Mid-Level: Registrar
As a Registrar (a doctor in specialty training), your salary usually falls in the range of:
- $100,000 – $145,000+, depending on experience, location, and specialty.
Registrars are still supervised but carry more responsibility and may manage junior staff. Many work long shifts, especially in surgical, emergency, and acute care rotations, boosting earnings.
Senior-Level: Consultant / Specialist
Once you’re fully qualified and vocationally registered in your specialty, you become a Consultant. This is the most senior role in public hospitals and comes with a significantly higher salary:
- Public sector consultants: $180,000 – $240,000+
- Private practice specialists: $250,000 – $400,000+ (and in some cases, higher)
What Are the Different Experience Levels for Doctors?
Doctors are paid by the amount of time and experience they have in their chosen profession.
For the first five to six years of your education, you’ll be a paying medical student not making any income (unless you have a job on the side, outside of your medical studies).
In the 6th or 7th year, you will start receiving a very modest stipend to assist you with living expenses, but it’s not really considered an income.
After this, however, is when doctors start being able to earn while continuing to learn. This is required so they can pay for living expenses while completing their education.
Interns and House Officers
As they embark on their medical careers, recent medical graduates enter their first two postgraduate terms (PGY1 and PGY2) as house officers or interns. During this initial phase, their annual earnings typically fall within the $69,000 to $75,000 range. As they progress through higher postgraduate years, their compensation steadily increases.
Registrars
Doctors who have advanced to the registrar stage are often enrolled in specialised training programs.
Depending on their chosen area of specialisation and the number of years of experience, registrars in New Zealand can anticipate annual incomes ranging from $120,000 to $190,000.
General Practitioners (GPs)
The average salary for GPs typically hovers between $190,000 and $240,000. However, this range can be considerably influenced by factors such as the location of practice, length of professional experience, and whether the GP is part of a larger practice or operates an independent clinic.
Specialists or Consultants
Specialists, also known as consultants, command the highest earnings within the medical profession.
Their annual income depends on their specific area of expertise and may fall within the range of $210,000 to over $700,000. Surgeons, anaesthetists, and obstetricians, for example, often find themselves at the upper end of this earning spectrum.
As of 2023, the average annual wage in New Zealand stands at $64,900, with doctors across all grades and specialties earning incomes above this median wage.
Highest-Paid Specialties in New Zealand
The difference between a General Practitioner and high-demand surgical specialists can be significant.
Passion and purpose typically drive a person's specialty, but it doesn't hurt to look at the earning potential, too.
- Orthopaedic Surgery: $400,000 – $600,000+
- Cardiology: $350,000 – $500,000+
- Dermatology: $300,000 – $450,000+
- Gastroenterology: $280,000 – $420,000
- Anaesthesiology: $250,000 – $400,000+
- Radiology: $250,000 – $380,000
- General Surgery: $240,000 – $360,000
- Psychiatry (Private): $200,000 – $300,000+
Neurosurgery: ~15 years
Cardiothoracic Surgery: ~12–14 years
Urology: ~10–12 years
These long pathways often correlate with higher salaries.
Here are some of the "lower-paid" specialties in medicine in New Zealand.
- General Practice (GPs): $180,000 – $220,000
- Public Health Doctors: $130,000 – $180,000
- Palliative Care Specialists: $140,000 – $190,000
Public vs Private Sector Pay: Which Pays More?
Let's compare the private and public sectors. The private sector pays more than its public counterpart in almost every field, but how stark is the contrast in medicine?
Working in the Public System
Public hospital doctors are paid according to nationally negotiated salary scales, which are transparent and fairly consistent across the country. These roles come with benefits like:
- Set salaries and annual pay increases
- Paid sick leave and holidays
- CME (Continuing Medical Education) allowances
- Union support (via NZRDA or ASMS)
- Defined workloads and job security
However, public roles can come with limited earning ceilings and high workloads, especially for junior doctors or in understaffed hospitals.
Working in the Private Sector
In contrast, private sector doctors often operate fee-for-service, billing patients directly or through insurance companies. Income can vary greatly depending on reputation, specialty, and patient volume. Still, private work tends to be more lucrative, particularly for:
- Surgeons
- Dermatologists
- Anaesthetists
- Fertility specialists
Doctors in private practice often report annual earnings of $250,000–$400,000+. Still, they also shoulder business costs, such as clinic rent, equipment, admin staff, and marketing.
Why Not Both?
There are options for doctors to blend public and private work, using a public hospital role to maintain professional development and serve the community while supplementing their income with private practice.
This hybrid approach can offer stability and higher earning potential and is common across many of the major medical specialties in New Zealand.
Careers in the Medical Field
What are some of the jobs you can pursue that are part of the medical field, and how much do they pay?
Registered Nurses
Registered Nurses play a crucial role in patient care in New Zealand. Their job responsibilities include assisting doctors, administering medications, monitoring patients, and providing direct patient care.
Median Salary: $53,000 to $93,000
Dentists
Dentists focus on oral health and dental care. They work closely with doctors, especially in cases where oral health issues are linked to broader medical conditions.
Median Salary: $65,000 to $163,000
Pharmacists
Pharmacists are responsible for dispensing medications, ensuring proper dosages, and providing medication-related advice to patients. They work in coordination with doctors to ensure effective treatment.
Median Salary: $58,000 to $86,000
Physiotherapists
Physiotherapists help patients recover from injuries and surgeries, providing physical therapy and rehabilitation services. They often collaborate with doctors to create comprehensive treatment plans.
Median Salary: $58,000 to $86,000
Physicians
Physicians are medical specialists who provide non-surgical advice and treatment to patients referred to them by other doctors.
Median Salary: $164,000 to $224,000.
Surgeons
Surgeons are highly specialised medical professionals who perform surgical procedures.
Median Salary: $86,000 and $197,000
Earning Potential Outside the Hospital: Locums, Teaching & More
Though doctors are paid well in New Zealand, there are plenty of other opportunities to earn even more.
Locum work (short-term placements)
University teaching roles
Medico-legal consulting
Private Telehealth services
1. Locum Work
Locuming involves short-term contracts to cover gaps in medical staffing — often in rural or under-served areas.
- Depending on specialty and location, locums can earn $1,000 – $2,500+ per day.
- Accommodation and travel are frequently covered.
- It’s a popular choice for GPs and emergency doctors seeking higher pay and flexible schedules.
This is especially attractive to mid-career doctors wanting to travel within NZ or work part-time while maintaining a high income.
2. Teaching and Academia
Doctors passionate about education can work as clinical lecturers, tutors, or research supervisors through universities like Otago or Auckland.
- Medical teaching can earn $80–$150/hour, often part-time alongside clinical work.
- Senior academic roles (e.g. Professors of Medicine) can bring in $180,000+ annually, plus research grants.
3. Medico-legal and Advisory Work
Some doctors consult in legal or insurance settings, reviewing medical claims, providing expert witness testimony, or advising on occupational health.
- Pays well on a per-hour basis
- Often used as a supplementary income stream
- This can be done remotely or in a semi-retired capacity
4. Telehealth and Private Online Consults
Telehealth exploded post-COVID, and many GPs and mental health doctors now offer virtual consultations through private platforms or their own clinics.
- Lower overhead
- Flexible hours
- Growing patient demand for online care
Jobs Available for Doctors
Due to various factors, including an ageing population and doctors leaving to live and work abroad, New Zealand tends to experience a doctor shortage. This means that entering the medical field is a generally sure bet regarding post-graduation employment.
This chart shows the average number of jobs available in different regions, expressed as a percentage. For example, the chart shows that out of all existing job positions in Auckland, 29.2% of them are available.
| Role | Experience Level | Salary Range (NZD) |
|---|---|---|
| House Officer (PGY1–PGY2) | 0–2 years | $70,000 – $95,000 |
| Registrar | 3–9 years | $100,000 – $145,000+ |
| Consultant / Specialist | 9+ years | $180,000 – $240,000+ |
| Experienced Consultant | 20+ years | $250,000 – $400,000+ |
New Zealand's healthcare system is divided into 20 District Health Boards, each of which operates public hospitals and healthcare services.
You can visit the websites of specific DHBs to check for job openings. Examples include Auckland DHB, Canterbury DHB, and Waikato DHB.
How Much Does It Cost to Become a Doctor in New Zealand?
Going to university to be a doctor is always costly, no matter where you are.
New Zealand has, unfortunately, quite expensive costs for higher education. Compared to the UK, it’s very expensive. Compared to the US, it’s more affordable.
University of Otago
For the University of Otago, tuition per year for the medicine subject is $17,389.00 for domestic students.
For international students, the fee for the Health Sciences First Year programme is about NZ$39,609. For years two and three, the cost is NZ$88,582 per year. For years four through six, the cost is NZ$101,236 per year.
University of Auckland
For the University of Auckland, tuition for domestic students in their first year in the health sciences degree is $8,558, and tuition per year afterwards for years two through six (in the Medicine and Surgery track) is $16,909.
For international students, the cost of the first year health science degree is NZ$35,249.80 - $42,180.00, and tuition per year afterwards for years two through six is NZ$82,833.60.
While medical school is expensive and takes a long time, it can also be a lucrative and fulfilling career. Weigh the pros and cons of enrolling in medical school and pursuing a life as a doctor so you can make the best-informed decision for yourself!
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
