Pay by Role
United Arab Emirates · Salary comparison

Optometrist vs Physician salary

In United Arab Emirates, a physician earns about 85% more than a optometrist $234,717 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
$234,717/yr
Monthly
$19,551
Hourly
$113
Range
$150,225$337,999
10-yr outlook
+3%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileOptometristPhysician
Entry (10th)$92,444$150,225
25th$109,517$192,457
Median$126,617$234,717
75th$147,502$286,344
Senior (90th)$168,414$337,999

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 earn more in United Arab Emirates?
A physician earns more, at about AED 862,000 per year vs AED 465,000 for a optometrist — roughly 85% (AED 397,000) 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 earns AED 551,700–AED 1,241,300 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 physician about AED 71,800.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United Arab Emirates, a optometrist earns about AED 339,500 while a physician earns about AED 551,700 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 earns about AED 1,241,300 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.