Optometrist Salary in the United Kingdom: Benefits, Career Growth and More

Did you know that an optometrist in the UK earns between £32k and £65k per year? Yes, you heard it right. It pretty much translates roughly up to ₹67 lakhs annually. According to the College of Optometrists, the UK faces a projected shortage of thousands of optometrists by 2030. With Brexit causing healthcare staff shortages, the UK government has placed optometrists on the Shortage Occupation List in several regions. This makes it easier for overseas optometrists to secure skilled worker visas with lower salary thresholds. In this blog, you'll get detailed insights on how much average salary you can withdraw as a registered optometrist in the UK. We have also covered expert tips on how to get a substantial growth in your salary.

NHS Salary Bands

Private Practice & Retail Chains

Optometrists employed by private practices or high-street retailers (Specsavers, Boots, Vision Express, etc.) may earn slightly higher pay through bonuses and commission.

• Average base: £35k to £55k (₹36–57 LPA).
• With sales incentives/management roles: earnings can cross £65k (₹67 LPA+).

Example: A senior optometrist in London’s Oxford Street store reported earning £58k base + £6k in bonuses (₹66 LPA).

Locum Optometrists (Freelancers)

Locum work is popular in 2025 because of staff shortages.

• Day rates: £250 to £300 (₹25.5k to ₹30.9k per day).
• Full-time locum earnings (if working 5 days/week consistently): £60k to £75k annually (₹62 to 77 lakhs).

Karan, an Indian optometrist in Birmingham, switched from NHS Band 6 to locum work. He nearly doubled his income from £34k (₹35 LPA) to £65k (₹67 LPA). But he admitted that he missed his NHS pension benefits.

Salary Progress in your Career as a Registered Optometrist in UK

• Entry-level (0 to 2 yrs): £32k to £35k (₹33 to 36 LPA).
• Mid-level (3–7 yrs): £40k to £50k (₹41 to ₹52 LPA).
• Senior/Consultant (8+ yrs): £55k to £70k (₹57–72 LPA).

Pro Tip: Pursuing Independent Prescribing (IP) qualification can add £3k to £5k (₹3–5 lakhs) annually to your pay package.

Factors that Affect an Optometrist’s Salary in UK

While the average optometrist salary in the UK ranges from £32k to £65k (₹33 to 67 LPA), what you actually take home depends on several factors. Let’s unpack the biggest ones.

1. Location (City vs Rural Pay Differences)

Optometrist salaries in the UK vary significantly based on where you work. London and other metropolitan hubs pay more due to higher living costs.

2. NHS vs Private Practice

• NHS Jobs → Stable salaries, structured growth, excellent pensions.
• Private Practice → Slightly higher pay, commission opportunities, faster salary credit. However, no pension or stability due to an independent setup.

Example:

• NHS Band 7 optometrist in Manchester: £46k (₹47 LPA).
• Private chain optometrist in the same city: £50k + £4k bonuses (₹56 LPA).

So while the NHS offers security, private practice often delivers more salary.

3. Subspecialties & Advanced Roles

Did you know that, certain specialisation adds an extra salary to your average CTC. Yes, you heard it right.. let's take a look below 

4. Experience & Career Stage

• Fresh graduates (0 to 2 yrs): £32k to £35k (₹33–36 lakhs).
• Mid-career (5 to 7 yrs): £40k to £50k (₹41 to 52 lakhs).
• Senior optometrists (10+ yrs): £55k to £70k (₹57 to 72 lakhs).
• Specialist consultants: Even higher if in teaching hospitals or niche private practice.

Priya, an overseas-trained optometrist, started on NHS Band 6 at £34k (₹35 LPA). After completing her Independent Prescribing course, she moved up to Band 7, earning £47.5k (₹49 LPA). She now mentors juniors and says the qualification was “the best career investment.”

5. Workload & Overtime

• Weekend shifts, evening clinics, and on-call duties = extra pay.
• Some private chains pay additional £100 to £200/day (₹10k to 20k/day) for weekend work.
• Locums who are flexible with shifts earn the highest daily rates (£250 to £300 or ₹25 to 31k/day).

6. Academia & Research

• University lecturer/research optometrists earn around £40k to £55k (₹41 to 57 LPA).
• Professorial posts can cross £65k (₹67 LPA).
• Many combine academia with clinical practice, boosting both income and profile.

7. Specialised Roles (Extra Qualifications = Extra Salary)

• Independent Prescribing (IP): Add £5k  to £6.5k (₹5 to 7 LPA) annually.
• Medical Retina/Glaucoma certification: +10 to 15% higher pay.
• Leadership/Head of Service roles: Salaries often £65k+ (₹67 LPA+).

Did you know… the demand for IP-qualified optometrists is exponentially high these days? Yes, it indeed is, especially in community-based urgent eye care services.

Wait a minute… it's beyond those fancy numbers? What's more than a great salary?

When professionals calculate the optometrist salary in the United Kingdom, they often focus only on the base number: £32k to £65k (₹33 to 67 LPA). But what really makes the United Kingdom the best work destination for optometrists is the amazing perks package that comes with the job, especially in the NHS.

1. What's the NHS Pension Scheme?

• One of the most secure retirement plans in the UK.
• Contributions are matched by the NHS, giving you long-term stability.
• For example: An optometrist earning £45 LPA (₹46 LPA) contributes around 7% (£3.1 LPA /₹3.2 LPA), but the NHS adds almost 13% (£5.8 LPA / ₹6 LPA) on top.
• This adds up to tens of lakhs saved for retirement over a career.

2. Paid Annual Leave

• NHS optometrists enjoy 27 days of paid leave, which increases to 33 days after 10 years of service.
• Add to that 8 bank holidays = a total of 35 to 41 days off every year.
• That’s almost a month and a half of vacation while still being paid.
• In comparison, private chains usually offer 25 to 28 days leave, but some add flexible leave trading schemes.

3. Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

“I never had to worry about affording extra training; my NHS trust covered for my glaucoma certification,” says Sameer, Band 7 hospital optometrist.

4. Flexible Working & Work-Life Balance

• NHS jobs often include part-time contracts, job-sharing, and flexible hours.
• Private practices may offer compressed workweeks (4 long days instead of 5).
• Many locum optometrists choose 3-day weeks, earning enough to balance personal life while still taking home £40k+ (₹41 lakhs) annually.

5. Perks & Discounts

• NHS optometrists get access to NHS discount schemes: cheaper gym memberships, electronics, travel deals.
• Professional memberships (like College of Optometrists) are sometimes partially reimbursed by employers.
• Vision benefits: Many employers offer free or discounted eye care for family members.

6. Relocation & Visa Sponsorship Benefits (for overseas professionals)

• Many NHS trusts now provide relocation packages worth £3k to £5k (₹3 to 5 LPA).
• Includes: flight tickets, initial accommodation, visa support and settlement help.

Ahmed, who moved from Egypt in 2024, had his entire relocation package covered, plus £1,500 (₹1.5 lakhs) for CPD in the first year.

New & Emerging Opportunities (2025 Trends)

• Tele-optometry & Digital Eye Health: Remote consultations, AI-based diagnostics. Salaries comparable to the NHS but with better flexibility.
• Corporate Healthcare: Optometrists joining private hospitals/insurance companies earn premium packages (sometimes £70k+ / ₹72 LPA+).
• Entrepreneurship: Many set up independent optical practices, blending clinical + retail earnings.

Steps to Become an Optometrist in UK (For International Professionals)

For overseas-trained optometrists, moving to the UK is a life-changing career step. But before you can enjoy that £32k to £65k (₹33 to 67 lakhs) salary range, you need to get licensed and registered with the General Optical Council (GOC).

Here's how you can become a registered optometrist in UK:

Step 1: Verify Eligibility/Documentation

• The GOC recognises certain international degrees directly.
• Others may require additional bridging or exams.
• First step: Apply for “Individual Assessment” with the GOC (cost ~£450 / ₹46,000).

Step 2: English Language Proficiency

• IELTS Academic: overall 7.0 with no band < 6.5.

Note: Target for a good 8.0 band. This opens more opportunities like PR points, more salary, etc.

• OET (Optometry module): Grade B accepted.
• Cost: ~£200–£220 (₹20k to 22.5k).

Step 3: Overseas Optometrists Pre-Registration Training (OOPT)

• If your degree is accepted but not equivalent to a UK MOptom, you must do OOPT.
• Duration: 12–18 months (hands-on supervised training).
• Stipend: £18k to £22k (₹18.5 to 22.5 LPA) during training.

Step 4: Registration Exam / Competency Assessment

• You’ll need to pass the OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) after clearing the English proficiency exam.
• Covers clinical skills, communication, and professional conduct.
• Exam fees: £1.5k to £2k (₹1.5 to 2 lakhs).

Step 5: Apply for Full GOC Registration

• Once you clear the OSCE and OOPT, you can apply for registration.
• Registration fee: ~£390 (₹40k) annually.
• At this point, you’re legally allowed to practice as a UK optometrist.

Step 6: Find Employment (NHS or Private)

• Many international graduates start in NHS Band 6 (£33k to £42k / ₹34 to 43 LPA) roles.
• With experience + specialisation, they quickly move to Band 7 and above (£43k to £65k / ₹44to 67 LPA).

Rina, a graduate from India, applied to the GOC in 2022. She cleared her IELTS, completed OOPT in Manchester (earning £20k / ₹20.6 LPA stipend), and passed the OSCE in late 2024. In 2025, she joined the NHS as a Band 6 optometrist with a salary of £34k (₹35 LPA). Within 2 years, she expects to move into Band 7 at £47k (₹49 LPA).

Academically has expert mentors with very many years of experience in the medical field. All of them are registered doctors abroad who guide our students throughout the entire licensing process.

Expert Recommended: How to Increase Your Salary as an Optometrist in the UK

An optometrist salary in the UK can start at £32k (₹33 LPA), but with the right moves, you could cross £70k (₹72 LPA) or more. Let’s know how to get there.

1. Negotiate Your Starting Salary

Many overseas optometrists accept the first NHS Band 6 offer. But you can negotiate, especially if you bring international experience.

Highlight clinical specialisations, leadership, or language skills in your application.

2. Pursue Extra Certifications

Every certification adds credibility and income. Let's take a look.

3. Consider Locum (Freelance) Work

• Day rates: £250 to £300 (₹25 to 31k per day).
• Working 3 days a week = ~£40k (₹41 lakhs) annually.
• Working full 5 days = £65k to £75k (₹67 to 77 lakhs).

4. Move to High-Paying Regions

Regional areas often have staff shortages (rural Scotland, Wales) and also pay premium locum rates.

5. Explore Private + Corporate Roles

• High-street practices offer bonuses and profit-sharing.
• Corporate healthcare or private hospital jobs sometimes cross £70k (₹72 lakhs).

Sophie, an NHS optometrist earning £47k (₹49 LPA), switched to a private corporate group. Her package now includes a £52k base + £4k annual bonus (₹57 LPA).

6. Add Side Income Streams

• Teaching & tutoring: Many optometrists earn £25 to £40/hr (₹2.5k to 4k/hr) training students.
• Writing & research: Paid opportunities in journals and corporate whitepapers.
• Entrepreneurship: Setting up an independent optical store can generate six-figure incomes once established.

To Conclude with…

The salary of an optometrist in the UK is not just competitive pay but also long-term stability, career growth, and global recognition. From NHS roles to locum opportunities, the earning potential is impressive; especially when you talk about the UK's rising demand for eye-care professionals. With the right guidance and preparation, international optometrists can confidently navigate licensure, maximise their earnings, and build rewarding healthcare careers in the UK.

If you want personalised guidance for your optometry career abroad, contact our expert team. They'll guide you through the entire process for you to achieve success.