Pay by Role
Japan · Salary comparison

Optometrist vs Physical Therapist salary

In Japan, a optometrist earns about 40% more than a physical therapist $136,583 vs $97,665 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

Pays more
Healthcare
Optometrist
$136,583/yr
Monthly
$11,382
Hourly
$66
Range
$99,706$181,655
10-yr outlook
+9%
Healthcare
Physical Therapist
$97,665/yr
Monthly
$8,139
Hourly
$47
Range
$73,054$127,746
10-yr outlook
+15%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileOptometristPhysical Therapist
Entry (10th)$99,706$73,054
25th$118,145$85,359
Median$136,583$97,665
75th$159,119$112,705
Senior (90th)$181,655$127,746

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a optometrist or physical therapist earn more in Japan?
A optometrist earns more, at about ¥22,110,000 per year vs ¥15,810,000 for a physical therapist — roughly 40% (¥6,300,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Japan?
A optometrist typically earns ¥16,140,300–¥29,406,300, while a physical therapist earns ¥11,825,900–¥20,679,500 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in Japan?
On a monthly basis before tax, a optometrist averages about ¥1,842,500 and a physical therapist about ¥1,317,500.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Japan, a optometrist earns about ¥16,140,300 while a physical therapist earns about ¥11,825,900 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Japan, a optometrist earns about ¥29,406,300 while a physical therapist earns about ¥20,679,500 per year.
Are optometrist and physical therapist 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.