Optometrist Salary in Sri Lanka 2026
Monthly pay in optical chains, eye hospitals and government, take-home after EPF, and how to qualify
How much does an optometrist earn in Sri Lanka?
An optometrist in Sri Lanka earns about Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 250,000 a month. Graduates in optical chains and eye hospitals typically start at Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 100,000, rising to Rs. 90,000 to Rs. 150,000 with a few years' experience. Senior optometrists and clinic managers earn Rs. 150,000 to Rs. 250,000.
Optometrist salary by experience
Most optometrists in Sri Lanka work in the private sector. The ranges below are SalaryLK editorial estimates of gross monthly pay, based on job adverts, pay in comparable allied health roles and employer pay structures. They include fixed allowances but not sales commission:
| Level | Experience | Monthly (Rs.) |
|---|---|---|
| Optical technician / dispenser (diploma) | 0 - 3 years | 40,000 - 70,000 |
| Graduate optometrist | 0 - 2 years | 60,000 - 100,000 |
| Optometrist | 2 - 5 years | 90,000 - 150,000 |
| Senior optometrist / clinic manager | 5+ years | 150,000 - 250,000 |
Optical technicians and dispensers are included for comparison. They fit and sell spectacles from a prescription and usually hold a diploma or in-house training rather than a degree. The gap between the two shows the value of the BSc: graduate optometrists carry out the eye examination and refraction themselves.
Where do optometrists work and what do they earn?
| Employer type | Typical work | Monthly (Rs.) |
|---|---|---|
| National optical chains | Eye tests, spectacle and contact lens dispensing, sales targets | 60,000 - 180,000 |
| Private eye hospitals and hospital eye units | Pre-surgery work-ups, refraction, clinical tests | 70,000 - 200,000 |
| Independent optical shops | Refraction and dispensing, often with commission | 50,000 - 150,000 |
| Own practice | Business income, not a salary | Varies widely |
Optical chains offer the most jobs and structured progression to branch or regional manager, but often add sales targets and weekend shifts. Private eye hospitals pay a little more for clinical work alongside ophthalmologists, including pre-operative assessment for cataract and refractive surgery. Independent shops pay less in fixed salary and more in commission. Figures are SalaryLK estimates.
Do government hospitals hire optometrists?
Government eye care is led by consultant ophthalmologists at the National Eye Hospital and provincial and district hospitals. Posts specifically titled optometrist are rare in the state health service and are advertised irregularly. We could not find a current Ministry of Health notice for optometrists with a salary scale, so we do not quote one.
As a reference, Public Administration Circular 10/2025 puts para-medical grades on MT 4-2025 to MT 6-2025, Rs. 52,520 to Rs. 101,910 basic, plus the Rs. 17,800 cost of living allowance. If government optometrist posts are created or advertised on a para-medical scale, expected pay would be in that band, which is below what most private employers pay experienced optometrists. For other allied health roles in government, see radiographer salary and medical lab technologist salary.
How do you become an optometrist in Sri Lanka?
- Pass A/Ls in the science stream. Optometry is an allied health science degree, so state university places are allocated through the UGC admission process.
- Complete a BSc in Optometry. The University of Sri Jayewardenepura offers a four-year BSc (Hons) in Optometry, listed among state university courses in the UGC handbook. The University of Colombo's Institute of Human Resource Advancement launched an optometry degree with the Brien Holden Vision Institute in 2014.
- Build clinical experience. Refraction, binocular vision assessment, contact lens fitting and screening for glaucoma and diabetic eye disease are the skills employers look for.
- Choose a path. Join an optical chain or eye hospital, specialise (paediatric optometry, low vision, contact lenses), or open your own practice later.
If you want to diagnose and operate on eye disease, the route is medicine followed by specialist training; see ophthalmologist salary and how to become a doctor.
What affects an optometrist's pay?
- + Qualification: a BSc in Optometry earns noticeably more than a diploma in optical dispensing.
- + Employer: eye hospitals and large chains pay more fixed salary; small shops rely more on commission.
- + Location: Colombo and other large cities have more patients and higher pay than rural branches.
- + Specialist skills: contact lens fitting, paediatric and low vision work, and pre-surgical assessment are valued.
- + Management: branch, regional and clinical lead roles add a significant step up.
Optometrist salary compared with other health careers
A graduate optometrist's starting pay is broadly similar to other private-sector allied health graduates, such as physiotherapists and pharmacists, and below a veterinary doctor in government. The biggest pay differences come from employer type and from moving into management or owning a practice. For the bigger picture, see government vs private salaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the optometrist salary in Sri Lanka?
SalaryLK estimates that optometrists in Sri Lanka earn about Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 250,000 a month. Newly qualified graduates in optical chains and private eye hospitals typically start at Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 100,000, experienced optometrists earn Rs. 90,000 to Rs. 150,000, and senior optometrists or clinic managers Rs. 150,000 to Rs. 250,000, before EPF and tax.
What is the starting salary of an optometrist in Sri Lanka?
A graduate optometrist with a BSc in Optometry usually starts on about Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 100,000 a month in a private optical chain, eye hospital or hospital eye clinic, according to SalaryLK estimates. Pay at the top of that range goes to graduates with strong clinical skills, contact lens fitting experience and English, Sinhala and Tamil communication skills.
Where can I study optometry in Sri Lanka?
The University of Sri Jayewardenepura offers a four-year BSc (Hons) in Optometry, listed among state university courses in the UGC admission handbook. The University of Colombo, through its Institute of Human Resource Advancement and with the Brien Holden Vision Institute, launched an optometry degree programme in 2014. Check each institution for the current intake and entry requirements.
Do government hospitals employ optometrists in Sri Lanka?
Some do, but government posts titled optometrist are few and advertised irregularly, and we could not find a current Ministry of Health notice with a salary scale. Eye care in state hospitals is led by ophthalmologists. Government allied health staff are generally paid on the para-medical scales MT 4-2025 to MT 6-2025, which run from Rs. 52,520 to Rs. 101,910 basic.
How much take-home pay does an optometrist get?
In the private sector, 8% of salary goes to EPF and income tax (APIT) applies only above Rs. 150,000 a month. An optometrist earning Rs. 80,000 gross takes home about Rs. 73,600, and one on Rs. 120,000 about Rs. 110,400. The employer adds 12% EPF and 3% ETF on top. The table on this page shows each level.
What is the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist?
An optometrist is a university-trained eye care professional who tests vision, prescribes spectacles and contact lenses, and screens for eye disease. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who has specialised in eye diseases and surgery. Ophthalmologists earn far more; see our ophthalmologist salary guide for their pay.
What is the difference between an optometrist and an optician?
In Sri Lanka the words are often used loosely. An optometrist holds a degree in optometry and performs eye examinations and refraction. An optician or optical technician usually dispenses and fits spectacles from a prescription and may hold a diploma or in-house training. Optometrists are paid more because of the clinical work.
Is optometry a good career in Sri Lanka?
Demand is growing because of an ageing population, diabetes-related eye disease and rising screen use, while the number of trained optometrists is still small. Private pay starts modestly but rises with experience, and some optometrists open their own practice. Qualified optometrists can also seek work abroad after meeting the registration rules of the destination country.
Can an optometrist open their own practice in Sri Lanka?
Yes. Many optical shops are owner-run, and an experienced optometrist can open a practice that combines eye tests with spectacle and contact lens sales. Income then depends on location, footfall and frame and lens margins, and is not a salary. Owners in busy urban locations can earn more than employed optometrists, but the startup cost for equipment and stock is significant.
Sources
- Cut-off marks for university admission 2024/2025 - University Grants Commission (Optometry, University of Sri Jayewardenepura)
- B.Sc. (Hons) Optometry, University of Sri Jayewardenepura - StudyWay.lk (course duration)
- Sri Lanka Optometry Development Project - International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, December 2015
- Public Administration Circular 10/2025 - Ministry of Public Administration (MT 4-2025 to MT 6-2025 para-medical scales)
Optometrist: take-home pay after EPF and tax
Monthly figures at the middle of each range above, using the 2025/26 and 2026/27 APIT rates (first LKR 150,000 a month tax-free) and the 8% employee EPF deduction. APIT starts to apply at the senior optometrist (5+ years) level. The employer also pays 12% EPF and 3% ETF on top, so a LKR 200,000 salary costs the employer about LKR 230,000 a month.
| Level | Gross | EPF 8% | APIT | Take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate optometrist (0-2 years) | LKR 80,000 | LKR 6,400 | LKR 0 | LKR 73,600 |
| Optometrist (2-5 years) | LKR 120,000 | LKR 9,600 | LKR 0 | LKR 110,400 |
| Senior optometrist (5+ years) | LKR 200,000 | LKR 16,000 | LKR 3,000 | LKR 181,000 |
Estimate for a resident with one employer. Work out your own figure with the salary tax calculator.
Updated Reviewed by SalaryLK Editorial TeamHow we research salaries