Pay by Role
South Korea · Salary comparison

Optometrist vs Registered Nurse salary

In South Korea, a optometrist earns about 251% more than a registered nurse $153,857 vs $43,814 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
Registered Nurse
$43,814/yr
Monthly
$3,651
Hourly
$21
Range
$31,985$58,273
10-yr outlook
+6%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileOptometristRegistered Nurse
Entry (10th)$112,315$31,985
25th$133,086$37,899
Median$153,857$43,814
75th$179,243$51,044
Senior (90th)$204,629$58,273

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a optometrist or registered nurse earn more in South Korea?
A optometrist earns more, at about ₩230,990,000 per year vs ₩65,780,000 for a registered nurse — roughly 251% (₩165,210,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in South Korea?
A optometrist typically earns ₩168,622,700–₩307,216,700, while a registered nurse earns ₩48,019,400–₩87,487,400 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 registered nurse about ₩5,481,700.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Korea, a optometrist earns about ₩168,622,700 while a registered nurse earns about ₩48,019,400 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in South Korea, a optometrist earns about ₩307,216,700 while a registered nurse earns about ₩87,487,400 per year.
Are optometrist and registered nurse 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.