Pay by Role
Japan · Salary comparison

Optometrist vs Physician Assistant salary

In Japan, a physician assistant earns about 5% more than a optometrist $142,884 vs $136,583 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
Optometrist
$136,583/yr
Monthly
$11,382
Hourly
$66
Range
$99,706$181,655
10-yr outlook
+9%
Pays more
Healthcare
Physician Assistant
$142,884/yr
Monthly
$11,907
Hourly
$69
Range
$104,305$190,036
10-yr outlook
+27%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileOptometristPhysician Assistant
Entry (10th)$99,706$104,305
25th$118,145$123,595
Median$136,583$142,884
75th$159,119$166,460
Senior (90th)$181,655$190,036

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a optometrist or physician assistant earn more in Japan?
A physician assistant earns more, at about ¥23,130,000 per year vs ¥22,110,000 for a optometrist — roughly 5% (¥1,020,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Japan?
A optometrist typically earns ¥16,140,300–¥29,406,300, while a physician assistant earns ¥16,884,900–¥30,762,900 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 physician assistant about ¥1,927,500.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Japan, a optometrist earns about ¥16,140,300 while a physician assistant earns about ¥16,884,900 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Japan, a optometrist earns about ¥29,406,300 while a physician assistant earns about ¥30,762,900 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.