Pay by Role
United Kingdom · Salary comparison

Optometrist vs Veterinarian salary

In United Kingdom, a optometrist earns about 17% more than a veterinarian $190,096 vs $161,983 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
Veterinarian
$161,983/yr
Monthly
$13,521
Hourly
$78
Range
$113,924$220,753
10-yr outlook
+19%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileOptometristVeterinarian
Entry (10th)$138,824$113,924
25th$164,393$137,887
Median$190,096$161,983
75th$221,422$191,435
Senior (90th)$252,882$220,753

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

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a optometrist or veterinarian earn more in United Kingdom?
A optometrist earns more, at about £142,000 per year vs £121,000 for a veterinarian — roughly 17% (£21,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United Kingdom?
A optometrist typically earns £103,700–£188,900, while a veterinarian earns £85,100–£164,900 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 veterinarian about £10,100.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United Kingdom, a optometrist earns about £103,700 while a veterinarian earns about £85,100 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United Kingdom, a optometrist earns about £188,900 while a veterinarian earns about £164,900 per year.
Are optometrist and veterinarian 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.