Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants vs Sales and retail assistants Salary (2025)

How do Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants and Sales and retail assistants salaries compare in the UK? Here is a detailed side-by-side breakdown.

Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants earns £3,955 more per year (27% higher)
vs

Sales and retail assistants

£14,814
per year

Detailed Comparison

MetricPharmacy and optical dispensing assistantsSales and retail assistantsDifference
Median Annual£18,769£14,814+£3,955
Mean Annual£18,320£16,604+£1,716
Monthly£1,564£1,235+£329
Weekly£361£285+£76
Hourly£9.02£7.12+£1.90

Salary Range Comparison

PercentilePharmacy and optical dispensing assistantsSales and retail assistants
10th (Entry)£5,938£5,714
25th£12,440£10,076
50th (Median)£18,769£14,814
75th£24,775£22,646
90th (Senior)£27,645£28,480
Advertisement

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more, a Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants or a Sales and retail assistants?
A Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants earns more. The median salary for a Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants is £18,769, whilst a Sales and retail assistants earns £14,814 — a difference of £3,955 per year.
What is the salary difference between a Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants and a Sales and retail assistants?
The difference is £3,955 per year. Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants is the higher-paid role.
Should I become a Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants or a Sales and retail assistants?
From a salary perspective, Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants offers higher median pay. However, career choice depends on many factors including interests, qualifications, work-life balance and long-term prospects.

More Comparisons