Pay by Role
Japan · Salary comparison

Dental Hygienist vs Optometrist salary

In Japan, a optometrist earns about 56% more than a dental hygienist $136,583 vs $87,411 per year.

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

Healthcare
Dental Hygienist
$87,411/yr
Monthly
$7,284
Hourly
$42
Range
$65,383$114,333
10-yr outlook
+9%
Pays more
Healthcare
Optometrist
$136,583/yr
Monthly
$11,382
Hourly
$66
Range
$99,706$181,655
10-yr outlook
+9%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileDental HygienistOptometrist
Entry (10th)$65,383$99,706
25th$76,397$118,145
Median$87,411$136,583
75th$100,872$159,119
Senior (90th)$114,333$181,655

National Japan figures in JPY. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a dental hygienist or optometrist earn more in Japan?
A optometrist earns more, at about ¥22,110,000 per year vs ¥14,150,000 for a dental hygienist — roughly 56% (¥7,960,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Japan?
A dental hygienist typically earns ¥10,584,200–¥18,508,200, while a optometrist earns ¥16,140,300–¥29,406,300 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in Japan?
On a monthly basis before tax, a dental hygienist averages about ¥1,179,200 and a optometrist about ¥1,842,500.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Japan, a dental hygienist earns about ¥10,584,200 while a optometrist earns about ¥16,140,300 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Japan, a dental hygienist earns about ¥18,508,200 while a optometrist earns about ¥29,406,300 per year.
Are dental hygienist 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.