Pay by Role
United Kingdom · Salary comparison

Dental Hygienist vs Optometrist salary

In United Kingdom, a optometrist earns about 61% more than a dental hygienist $190,096 vs $118,342 per year.

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

Healthcare
Dental Hygienist
$118,342/yr
Monthly
$9,906
Hourly
$58
Range
$88,488$154,754
10-yr outlook
+9%
Pays more
Healthcare
Optometrist
$190,096/yr
Monthly
$15,797
Hourly
$91
Range
$138,824$252,882
10-yr outlook
+9%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileDental HygienistOptometrist
Entry (10th)$88,488$138,824
25th$103,482$164,393
Median$118,342$190,096
75th$136,548$221,422
Senior (90th)$154,754$252,882

National United Kingdom figures in GBP. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a dental hygienist or optometrist earn more in United Kingdom?
A optometrist earns more, at about £142,000 per year vs £88,400 for a dental hygienist — roughly 61% (£53,600) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United Kingdom?
A dental hygienist typically earns £66,100–£115,600, while a optometrist earns £103,700–£188,900 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in United Kingdom?
On a monthly basis before tax, a dental hygienist averages about £7,400 and a optometrist about £11,800.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United Kingdom, a dental hygienist earns about £66,100 while a optometrist earns about £103,700 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United Kingdom, a dental hygienist earns about £115,600 while a optometrist earns about £188,900 per year.
Are dental hygienist and optometrist 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.