Comparing domiciliary to high street salaries.
A career in optometry opens doors to many opportunities – from delivering exceptional care to specialising in areas like glaucoma or myopia management.
But beyond passion and skill, salary and work environment play a key role in finding the right fit for your lifestyle.
Here's a breakdown of how they compare:
Optometrist salaries: high street vs. domiciliary
Optometrists can enjoy rewarding careers in both high street practices and domiciliary care, but salaries vary significantly depending on the setting.
While figures fluctuate based on location, responsibilities, and employers, the average salary for an optometrist is £57,0793 per year in the United Kingdom.*
*Indeed.com: 15.9 salaries reported, updated on 26 January 2025
This can of course vary and with competitive salaries, we are pleased to be able to provide our people with market-leading salaries.
Here's how we compare:
Newly qualified optometrists: Starting from £52,000 per year
Experienced optometrists: £65,000 +
Mid-career professionals: £62,000 - £74,000 per year
Experienced optometrists: Up to £80,000 per year, often with additional performance-based bonuses - dependent on location
Locum optometrists: Rates range from £300 to £500 per day in both settings, depending on demand and location.
Why does domiciliary often pay more?
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Specialist skills
Working with older or less mobile patients often requires adaptability, empathy, and advanced communication skills.
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Rising demand
With an aging population, providers are offering competitive salaries to attract skills optometrists.
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End-to-end service
Domiciliary optometrists handle the full patient journey including dispensing glasses directly to the patient, offering a more holistic and patient-centered service.
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Additional perks
Travel allowances, mileage, and performance-related bonuses often enhance domiciliary salaries.
Beyond the salary
While salary is a key consideration, work-life balance is becoming a top priority for many optometrists.
Domiciliary care excels in this area.
According to the GOC Registrant Workforce and Perceptions Survey 2024:
- 45% of optometrists say better work-life balance is a major reason for career changes.
- 41% of optometrists rate flexible working options as essential for job satisfaction.
Domiciliary roles often offer no weekend work, manageable patient schedules, and the option to work full or part time.
High street vs domiciliary: Beyond the numbers
High street roles provide structure and team-based working in a fixed location. On the other hand, domiciliary care offers:
- A varied workday, meeting new patients in their homes or care settings.
- The chance to make a meaningful difference to those unable to visit high street clinics.
- The opportunity to get outside, explore your community or even new areas if you wish – the opportunities are endless.
- More time with your patients with appointment lasting on average one hour.
- See significantly less patients each day with seven – eight patients a day.
If earning more, enjoying a better work-life balance and spending more time with your patients sounds appealing - domiciliary care could be the right fit for you.
Transform your career today
Whether you’re newly qualified or an experienced optometrist seeking a change, domiciliary care offers more than just higher earning – it provides the chance to transform lives, including your own.
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"I wanted to make a difference, and I can honestly say that OutsideClinic has given me that."
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"Even if we were able to help just one person today, we created a positive change in their life.”
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"It’s such a big cliché, but we really are helping our patients - not just optically.”
