Optometrists: average salary and pay in the UK
Full-time optometrists in the UK earned a median £51,030 in the year to 5 April 2025, according to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE): 31% more than the £39,039 median for all full-time jobs.
What the figures show
That ranks 52nd of 382 occupations on this measure.
The mean, £59,614, is 17% above the median, a sign of a few very high earners.
A full-time median is published for women only; the sample of men is too small.
About 62% of the roughly 16,000 employee jobs are full-time.
Since 2021 it has risen 20.1%, from £42,476, slower than the 25.0% for all jobs.
The Annual Population Survey counts 18,900 people in this line of work across the UK.
Pay distribution, 2025 provisional
| Gross pay | Full-time, annual | Full-time, weekly | Full-time, hourly | All, annual | All, weekly | All, hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20th percentile | – | – | – | – | £413.70* | £20.43* |
| 25th percentile | – | £766.20* | £20.44* | – | – | £21.75* |
| 30th percentile | £41,537* | £780.00* | £21.79* | – | – | £23.60 |
| 40th percentile | £46,843* | £888.30* | £23.97* | – | £644.30* | £24.44 |
| Median (50th percentile) | £51,030* | £956.90* | £25.62* | £38,743* | £766.60* | £26.02 |
| 60th percentile | – | £1,053.20* | £30.41* | £45,543* | £870.80* | £30.65* |
| 70th percentile | – | – | – | – | £957.60* | £33.57* |
| Mean | £59,614* | £1,142.10 | £30.94 | £44,097* | £876.00 | £30.26 |
Pay since 2021
| ASHE year | Full-time, annual median | Full-time, weekly median | Full-time, hourly median | All, annual median | All, weekly median | Jobs (thousands, indicative) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 revised | £42,476 | £818.90 | £21.76 | £34,760* | £668.30* | 12* |
| 2022 revised | – | £853.40* | – | – | – | 12* |
| 2023 revised | £44,968* | £899.00* | £23.76* | – | – | 12* |
| 2024 revised | £44,749* | £929.00* | £24.28* | – | £661.10* | 14* |
| 2025 provisional | £51,030* | £956.90* | £25.62* | £38,743* | £766.60* | 16* |
Optometrists by region
UK: 18,900 (± 5,300), April 2025 to March 2026.
Annual Population Survey (Nomis)
What optometrists do
Ophthalmic opticians test patients’ vision, diagnose defects and disorders and prescribe glasses or contact lenses as required. (ONS SOC 2020, 2252)
Also covers: doctor of optometry, ophthalmic optician, optician and consultant ophthalmologist.
- Examines eyes and tests vision of patient, identifies problems, defects, injuries and ill health
- Prescribes appropriate spectacle lenses, contact lenses and other aids
- Advises patient on proper use of glasses, contact lenses and other aids, and on appropriate lighting conditions for reading and working
- Refers patient to a specialist, where necessary
- Carries out research with glass and lens manufacturers
Entrants require a degree in Optometry, must have passed the Professional Qualifying Examination of the General Optical Council, and have completed a pre-registration year. Advanced training in specialised areas is available.
Related
Other health professionals (median £47,939) · Pharmacists · Dental practitioners · salary percentile · UK average weekly earnings growth · Mean
ASHE Table 14: 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 · coding index · notes · 15 October 2026