Pay by Role
United Kingdom · Salary comparison

Optometrist vs Psychiatrist salary

In United Kingdom, a psychiatrist earns about 96% more than a optometrist $373,499 vs $190,096 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
Optometrist
$190,096/yr
Monthly
$15,797
Hourly
$91
Range
$138,824$252,882
10-yr outlook
+9%
Pays more
Healthcare
Psychiatrist
$373,499/yr
Monthly
$31,192
Hourly
$179
Range
$255,827$517,276
10-yr outlook
+8%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileOptometristPsychiatrist
Entry (10th)$138,824$255,827
25th$164,393$314,730
Median$190,096$373,499
75th$221,422$445,387
Senior (90th)$252,882$517,276

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a optometrist or psychiatrist earn more in United Kingdom?
A psychiatrist earns more, at about £279,000 per year vs £142,000 for a optometrist — roughly 96% (£137,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United Kingdom?
A optometrist typically earns £103,700–£188,900, while a psychiatrist earns £191,100–£386,400 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 psychiatrist about £23,300.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United Kingdom, a optometrist earns about £103,700 while a psychiatrist earns about £191,100 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United Kingdom, a optometrist earns about £188,900 while a psychiatrist earns about £386,400 per year.
Are optometrist and psychiatrist 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.