Pay by Role
South Korea · Salary comparison

Optometrist vs Physician Assistant salary

In South Korea, a physician assistant earns about 5% more than a optometrist $161,763 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

Healthcare
Optometrist
$153,857/yr
Monthly
$12,821
Hourly
$74
Range
$112,315$204,629
10-yr outlook
+9%
Pays more
Healthcare
Physician Assistant
$161,763/yr
Monthly
$13,480
Hourly
$78
Range
$118,087$215,145
10-yr outlook
+27%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileOptometristPhysician Assistant
Entry (10th)$112,315$118,087
25th$133,086$139,925
Median$153,857$161,763
75th$179,243$188,454
Senior (90th)$204,629$215,145

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a optometrist or physician assistant earn more in South Korea?
A physician assistant earns more, at about ₩242,860,000 per year vs ₩230,990,000 for a optometrist — roughly 5% (₩11,870,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in South Korea?
A optometrist typically earns ₩168,622,700–₩307,216,700, while a physician assistant earns ₩177,287,800–₩323,003,800 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in South Korea?
On a monthly basis before tax, a optometrist averages about ₩19,249,200 and a physician assistant about ₩20,238,300.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Korea, a optometrist earns about ₩168,622,700 while a physician assistant earns about ₩177,287,800 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in South Korea, a optometrist earns about ₩307,216,700 while a physician assistant earns about ₩323,003,800 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.