Pay by Role
United Arab Emirates · Salary comparison

Optometrist vs Physician Assistant salary

In United Arab Emirates, a physician assistant earns about 7% more than a optometrist $135,330 vs $126,617 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

Healthcare
Optometrist
$126,617/yr
Monthly
$10,565
Hourly
$61
Range
$92,444$168,414
10-yr outlook
+9%
Pays more
Healthcare
Physician Assistant
$135,330/yr
Monthly
$11,273
Hourly
$65
Range
$98,788$179,986
10-yr outlook
+27%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileOptometristPhysician Assistant
Entry (10th)$92,444$98,788
25th$109,517$117,059
Median$126,617$135,330
75th$147,502$157,658
Senior (90th)$168,414$179,986

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 physician assistant earn more in United Arab Emirates?
A physician assistant earns more, at about AED 497,000 per year vs AED 465,000 for a optometrist — roughly 7% (AED 32,000) 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 physician assistant earns AED 362,800–AED 661,000 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 physician assistant about AED 41,400.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United Arab Emirates, a optometrist earns about AED 339,500 while a physician assistant earns about AED 362,800 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 physician assistant earns about AED 661,000 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.