The average optometrist salary in the UK is around £48,000 a year, ranging from roughly £40,000 for entry-level to £56,000+ for experienced optometrists.
The role of an Optometrist in the UK is both prestigious and financially rewarding. As eye health becomes an increasing priority across all age groups, the demand for skilled optometrists continues to grow. From bustling clinics in London to independent practices in Manchester and Edinburgh, healthcare providers are actively seeking top talent and offering competitive compensation packages to attract and retain the best professionals.
Optometrist salary
Base pay £40K – £56K/yr
£48K/yr average base pay
The estimated total pay for a Optometrist is £49,232 per year, with an average salary of £47,537 per year. This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. The estimated additional pay is £1,696 per year. Additional pay could include cash bonus, commission, tips, and profit sharing.
What do Optometrist earn
How much does a Optometrist make in United Kingdom?
£56,904/yr
Optometrist salary by experience in the UK
| Experience | Salary |
| Entry | £40,000–£48,000 |
| Mid | £48,000–£52,000 |
| Senior | £56,000+ |
Optometrist pay in the UK depends heavily on setting: those in independent practice or practice ownership typically earn more than employed optometrists at high-street chains. Years of experience, additional qualifications such as independent prescribing, and location — especially London and the South East — all affect where someone lands in this range.
Highest paying cities for Optometrist near United Kingdom
- Norwich
£65,242 per year118 salaries reported - Colchester
£62,017 per year130 salaries reported - Sheffield
£60,639 per year123 salaries reported - Newcastle upon Tyne
£60,446 per year277 salaries reported - Bristol
£58,364 per year354 salaries reported - Southampton
£57,464 per year318 salaries reported - Bournemouth
£56,366 per year152 salaries reported - Liverpool
£55,111 per year223 salaries reported - London
£54,891 per year611 salaries reported
