Other Skilled Trades vs Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants Salary

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

Other Skilled Trades earns £10,483 more per year (56% higher)

Other Skilled Trades

£29,252
per year (gross)
Take-home: £24,581
vs

Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants

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

Detailed Comparison

MetricOther Skilled TradesPharmacy and optical dispensing assistantsDifference
Median Annual£29,252£18,769+£10,483
Mean Annual£29,763£18,320+£11,443
Take-Home (Net)£24,581£17,033+£7,548
Monthly (Gross)£2,438£1,564+£874
Weekly (Gross)£563£361+£202
Hourly£14.06£9.02+£5.04

Salary Range Comparison

PercentileOther Skilled TradesPharmacy and optical dispensing assistants
10th (Entry)£13,008£5,938
25th£22,646£12,440
50th (Median)£29,252£18,769
75th£36,443£24,775
90th (Senior)£0£27,645

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more, a Other Skilled Trades or a Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants?
A Other Skilled Trades earns more. The median salary for a Other Skilled Trades is £29,252, whilst a Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants earns £18,769 — a difference of £10,483 per year.
What is the salary difference between a Other Skilled Trades and a Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants?
The difference is £10,483 per year. Other Skilled Trades is the higher-paid role.
What is the take-home pay difference?
After tax and National Insurance, a Other Skilled Trades takes home approximately £24,581 per year, whilst a Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants takes home £17,033. The net difference is £7,548.
Should I become a Other Skilled Trades or a Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants?
From a salary perspective, Other Skilled Trades 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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