Pay by Role
Germany · Salary comparison

Optometrist vs Surgeon salary

In Germany, a surgeon earns about 116% more than a optometrist $449,366 vs $207,575 per year.

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

Healthcare
Optometrist
$207,575/yr
Monthly
$17,336
Hourly
$100
Range
$151,576$276,121
10-yr outlook
+9%
Pays more
Healthcare
Surgeon
$449,366/yr
Monthly
$37,409
Hourly
$216
Range
$287,640$647,133
10-yr outlook
+3%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileOptometristSurgeon
Entry (10th)$151,576$287,640
25th$179,518$368,503
Median$207,575$449,366
75th$241,791$548,250
Senior (90th)$276,121$647,133

National Germany figures in EUR. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a optometrist or surgeon earn more in Germany?
A surgeon earns more, at about 394.000 € per year vs 182.000 € for a optometrist — roughly 116% (212.000 €) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Germany?
A optometrist typically earns 132.900 €–242.100 €, while a surgeon earns 252.200 €–567.400 € per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in Germany?
On a monthly basis before tax, a optometrist averages about 15.200 € and a surgeon about 32.800 €.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Germany, a optometrist earns about 132.900 € while a surgeon earns about 252.200 € per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Germany, a optometrist earns about 242.100 € while a surgeon earns about 567.400 € per year.
Are optometrist 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.