Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants vs Sales Assistants and Retail Cashiers Salary (2025)

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

Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants earns £3,611 more per year (24% higher)
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Detailed Comparison

MetricPharmacy and optical dispensing assistantsSales Assistants and Retail CashiersDifference
Median Annual£18,769£15,158+£3,611
Mean Annual£18,320£16,912+£1,408
Monthly£1,564£1,263+£301
Weekly£361£292+£69
Hourly£9.02£7.29+£1.73

Salary Range Comparison

PercentilePharmacy and optical dispensing assistantsSales Assistants and Retail Cashiers
10th (Entry)£5,938£5,761
25th£12,440£10,191
50th (Median)£18,769£15,158
75th£24,775£23,257
90th (Senior)£27,645£28,829
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Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more, a Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants or a Sales Assistants and Retail Cashiers?
A Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants earns more. The median salary for a Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants is £18,769, whilst a Sales Assistants and Retail Cashiers earns £15,158 — a difference of £3,611 per year.
What is the salary difference between a Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants and a Sales Assistants and Retail Cashiers?
The difference is £3,611 per year. Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants is the higher-paid role.
Should I become a Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants or a Sales Assistants and Retail Cashiers?
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.

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