Pay by Role
United Arab Emirates · Salary comparison

Optometrist vs Physical Therapist salary

In United Arab Emirates, a optometrist earns about 36% more than a physical therapist $126,617 vs $93,125 per year.

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

Pays more
Healthcare
Optometrist
$126,617/yr
Monthly
$10,565
Hourly
$61
Range
$92,444$168,414
10-yr outlook
+9%
Healthcare
Physical Therapist
$93,125/yr
Monthly
$7,760
Hourly
$45
Range
$69,653$121,797
10-yr outlook
+15%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileOptometristPhysical Therapist
Entry (10th)$92,444$69,653
25th$109,517$81,389
Median$126,617$93,125
75th$147,502$107,474
Senior (90th)$168,414$121,797

National United Arab Emirates figures in AED. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a optometrist or physical therapist earn more in United Arab Emirates?
A optometrist earns more, at about AED 465,000 per year vs AED 342,000 for a physical therapist — roughly 36% (AED 123,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United Arab Emirates?
A optometrist typically earns AED 339,500–AED 618,500, while a physical therapist earns AED 255,800–AED 447,300 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in United Arab Emirates?
On a monthly basis before tax, a optometrist averages about AED 38,800 and a physical therapist about AED 28,500.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United Arab Emirates, a optometrist earns about AED 339,500 while a physical therapist earns about AED 255,800 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United Arab Emirates, a optometrist earns about AED 618,500 while a physical therapist earns about AED 447,300 per year.
Are optometrist and physical therapist 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.