Optometrist vs Pharmacist
Pharmacists earn $7,160 more than optometrists on average (5.7% higher). Compare salaries, skills, education, and career outlook side by side.
Optometrist
$125,590
median salary
Pharmacist
$132,750
median salary
Salary Comparison
| Metric | Optometrist | Pharmacist |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $125,590 | $132,750 |
| Mean Salary | $130,200 | $131,680 |
| Entry Level | $82,000 | $100,000 |
| Mid Level | $128,000 | $130,000 |
| Senior Level | $178,000 | $158,000 |
| 10th Percentile | $78,000 | $96,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $192,000 | $165,800 |
Career Details
Optometrist Healthcare
Optometrists examine eyes, diagnose vision problems, and prescribe corrective lenses.
Education Doctoral degree
Growth Rate 9% (faster than average)
Total Employed 46,000
Key Skills
Eye ExaminationRefractionContact Lens FittingOcular DiseasePatient EducationDiagnostic Equipment
Typical Duties
- Perform eye examinations
- Diagnose eye diseases
- Prescribe corrective lenses
- Detect systemic conditions via eye exams
- Provide pre/post-operative care
Pharmacist Healthcare
Pharmacists dispense prescription medications, advise patients on drug interactions and side effects, and collaborate with healthcare providers to optimize medication therapy.
Education Doctoral degree
Growth Rate 2% (slower than average)
Total Employed 322,200
Key Skills
PharmacologyPatient CounselingDrug InteractionsCompoundingClinical ReviewPharmacy Software
Typical Duties
- Dispense prescription medications accurately and safely
- Counsel patients on medication use, dosage, and side effects
- Review prescriptions for drug interactions and contraindications
- Collaborate with physicians on patient medication therapy
- Supervise pharmacy technicians and manage inventory
Top 5 Paying States
Summary: Optometrist vs Pharmacist
Pharmacists earn a median salary of $132,750 compared to $125,590 for optometrists — a difference of $7,160 (5.7%). However, optometrist has stronger job growth at 9% vs 2%.