Pay by Role
China · Salary comparison

Optometrist vs Physician Assistant salary

In China, a physician assistant earns about 3% more than a optometrist $114,307 vs $110,473 per year.

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

Healthcare
Optometrist
$110,473/yr
Monthly
$9,204
Hourly
$53
Range
$80,649$146,933
10-yr outlook
+9%
Pays more
Healthcare
Physician Assistant
$114,307/yr
Monthly
$9,528
Hourly
$55
Range
$83,452$152,036
10-yr outlook
+27%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileOptometristPhysician Assistant
Entry (10th)$80,649$83,452
25th$95,561$98,880
Median$110,473$114,307
75th$128,703$133,172
Senior (90th)$146,933$152,036

National China figures in CNY. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a optometrist or physician assistant earn more in China?
A physician assistant earns more, at about ¥775,000 per year vs ¥749,000 for a optometrist — roughly 3% (¥26,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in China?
A optometrist typically earns ¥546,800–¥996,200, while a physician assistant earns ¥565,800–¥1,030,800 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in China?
On a monthly basis before tax, a optometrist averages about ¥62,400 and a physician assistant about ¥64,600.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in China, a optometrist earns about ¥546,800 while a physician assistant earns about ¥565,800 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in China, a optometrist earns about ¥996,200 while a physician assistant earns about ¥1,030,800 per year.
Are optometrist and physician assistant 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.