Pay by Role
Australia · Salary comparison

Occupational Therapist vs Optometrist salary

In Australia, a optometrist earns about 46% more than a occupational therapist — $219,295 vs $150,592 per year.

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

Healthcare
Occupational Therapist
$150,592/yr
Monthly
$12,561
Hourly
$72
Range
$112,632–$196,949
10-yr outlook
+12%
Pays more
Healthcare
Optometrist
$219,295/yr
Monthly
$18,251
Hourly
$105
Range
$160,099–$291,676
10-yr outlook
+9%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileOccupational TherapistOptometrist
Entry (10th)$112,632$160,099
25th$131,646$189,662
Median$150,592$219,295
75th$173,770$255,451
Senior (90th)$196,949$291,676

National Australia figures in AUD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

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Frequently asked questions

Does a occupational therapist or optometrist earn more in Australia?
A optometrist earns more, at about $316,000 per year vs $217,000 for a occupational therapist — roughly 46% ($99,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Australia?
A occupational therapist typically earns $162,300–$283,800, while a optometrist earns $230,700–$420,300 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in Australia?
On a monthly basis before tax, a occupational therapist averages about $18,100 and a optometrist about $26,300.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Australia, a occupational therapist earns about $162,300 while a optometrist earns about $230,700 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Australia, a occupational therapist earns about $283,800 while a optometrist earns about $420,300 per year.
Are occupational therapist and optometrist 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.