Pay by Role
South Korea · Salary comparison

Optometrist vs Physician salary

In South Korea, a optometrist earns about 26% more than a physician $153,857 vs $121,699 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
Optometrist
$153,857/yr
Monthly
$12,821
Hourly
$74
Range
$112,315$204,629
10-yr outlook
+9%
Healthcare
Physician
$121,699/yr
Monthly
$10,142
Hourly
$59
Range
$77,887$175,246
10-yr outlook
+3%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileOptometristPhysician
Entry (10th)$112,315$77,887
25th$133,086$99,793
Median$153,857$121,699
75th$179,243$148,472
Senior (90th)$204,629$175,246

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 earn more in South Korea?
A optometrist earns more, at about ₩230,990,000 per year vs ₩182,710,000 for a physician — roughly 26% (₩48,280,000) 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 earns ₩116,934,400–₩263,102,400 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 about ₩15,225,800.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Korea, a optometrist earns about ₩168,622,700 while a physician earns about ₩116,934,400 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 earns about ₩263,102,400 per year.
Are optometrist and physician 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.