Pay by Role
United Kingdom · Salary comparison

Optometrist vs Physician salary

In United Kingdom, a optometrist earns about 9% more than a physician $190,096 vs $174,032 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

Pays more
Healthcare
Optometrist
$190,096/yr
Monthly
$15,797
Hourly
$91
Range
$138,824$252,882
10-yr outlook
+9%
Healthcare
Physician
$174,032/yr
Monthly
$14,458
Hourly
$84
Range
$111,380$250,606
10-yr outlook
+3%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileOptometristPhysician
Entry (10th)$138,824$111,380
25th$164,393$142,706
Median$190,096$174,032
75th$221,422$212,319
Senior (90th)$252,882$250,606

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a optometrist or physician earn more in United Kingdom?
A optometrist earns more, at about £142,000 per year vs £130,000 for a physician — roughly 9% (£12,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United Kingdom?
A optometrist typically earns £103,700–£188,900, while a physician earns £83,200–£187,200 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in United Kingdom?
On a monthly basis before tax, a optometrist averages about £11,800 and a physician about £10,800.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United Kingdom, a optometrist earns about £103,700 while a physician earns about £83,200 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United Kingdom, a optometrist earns about £188,900 while a physician earns about £187,200 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.