Bus and coach drivers vs Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants Salary

How do Bus and coach drivers and Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants salaries compare in the UK? Here is a detailed side-by-side breakdown using the latest ONS data.

Bus and coach drivers earns £16,927 more per year (90% higher)

Bus and coach drivers

£35,696
per year (gross)
Take-home: £29,221
vs

Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants

£18,769
per year (gross)
Take-home: £17,033

Detailed Comparison

MetricBus and coach driversPharmacy and optical dispensing assistantsDifference
Median Annual£35,696£18,769+£16,927
Mean Annual£35,143£18,320+£16,823
Take-Home (Net)£29,221£17,033+£12,188
Monthly (Gross)£2,975£1,564+£1,411
Weekly (Gross)£686£361+£325
Hourly£17.16£9.02+£8.14

Salary Range Comparison

PercentileBus and coach driversPharmacy and optical dispensing assistants
10th (Entry)£16,437£5,938
25th£29,216£12,440
50th (Median)£35,696£18,769
75th£42,845£24,775
90th (Senior)£49,957£27,645

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more, a Bus and coach drivers or a Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants?
A Bus and coach drivers earns more. The median salary for a Bus and coach drivers is £35,696, whilst a Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants earns £18,769 — a difference of £16,927 per year.
What is the salary difference between a Bus and coach drivers and a Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants?
The difference is £16,927 per year. Bus and coach drivers is the higher-paid role.
What is the take-home pay difference?
After tax and National Insurance, a Bus and coach drivers takes home approximately £29,221 per year, whilst a Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants takes home £17,033. The net difference is £12,188.
Should I become a Bus and coach drivers or a Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants?
From a salary perspective, Bus and coach drivers offers higher median pay. However, career choice depends on many factors including interests, qualifications, work-life balance and long-term prospects.

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