Salaries Fall
02-01-2008 Back to news index
Optometrists’ salaries continue to fall according to Prospects, the universities careers service. In a recent survey, Prospects found that a typical starting salary in private practice was £18,000 rising to £38,000 to £48,000 for ‘senior optometrists’.
Optometrists were expected to typically work 39 hours per week, usually five days a week, Mondays to Saturdays with one day off in the week. Some practices now open on Sundays, so weekend working is becoming increasingly common. Prospects also found that evening opening is also becoming increasingly common and optometrists are typically expected to work four ten -hour days at these firms.
In separate studies by researchers at Myers La Roche, it was found that average salaries in the UK have fallen by 16% during the last eight years from £44,000 in 1998 to £37,000 in 2006. Myers La Roche will be undertaking a new salary survey in 2007 covering optometrists, opticians, optical assistants and locums.
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