Pay by Role
South Korea · Salary comparison

Dentist vs Optometrist salary

In South Korea, a dentist earns about 41% more than a optometrist $216,974 vs $153,857 per year.

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

Pays more
Healthcare
Dentist
$216,974/yr
Monthly
$18,081
Hourly
$104
Range
$148,627$300,509
10-yr outlook
+4%
Healthcare
Optometrist
$153,857/yr
Monthly
$12,821
Hourly
$74
Range
$112,315$204,629
10-yr outlook
+9%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileDentistOptometrist
Entry (10th)$148,627$112,315
25th$182,801$133,086
Median$216,974$153,857
75th$258,742$179,243
Senior (90th)$300,509$204,629

National South Korea figures in KRW. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a dentist or optometrist earn more in South Korea?
A dentist earns more, at about ₩325,750,000 per year vs ₩230,990,000 for a optometrist — roughly 41% (₩94,760,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in South Korea?
A dentist typically earns ₩223,138,800–₩451,163,800, while a optometrist earns ₩168,622,700–₩307,216,700 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in South Korea?
On a monthly basis before tax, a dentist averages about ₩27,145,800 and a optometrist about ₩19,249,200.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Korea, a dentist earns about ₩223,138,800 while a optometrist earns about ₩168,622,700 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in South Korea, a dentist earns about ₩451,163,800 while a optometrist earns about ₩307,216,700 per year.
Are dentist 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.