How Much Can You Earn as a Locum Optometrist in the UK? (2025 Guide) The Optom Coach
If you’re an optometrist in the UK considering the leap from employed to locum work, one of your first questions will be: “How much can I actually earn?” As The Optom Coach, I’ve helped hundreds of optometrists transition smoothly into locum life — and in 2025, the earning potential is as strong as ever.
Locum Optometrist Pay Rates in 2025
Daily rates for locum optometrists vary widely depending on location, day of the week, and type of booking:
Weekdays in cities~£300/day
Weekends in coastal towns & islands up to £500/day
For a self‑employed locum working five days a week, the average annual income is around £75,000 — significantly higher than the average employed optometrist salary.
The Biggest Factor: Location
Where you work has the single greatest impact on your earnings:
- Lower‑paying regions: Midlands & North England
- Higher‑paying regions: South Wales, South West England, East England
Why? Supply and demand. Areas with fewer optometrists or harder‑to‑reach locations often pay more to attract talent.
The Second Factor: Market Flexibility
Many new locums limit themselves to one company or chain. That’s a mistake. The highest‑earning locums know how to work across the whole market — from independents to multiples, from high‑street to domiciliary. This flexibility opens up more opportunities and better rates.
The Third Factor: Agency & Negotiation Strategy
Relying on a single locum agency can cap your earning potential. Instead:
- Register with multiple agencies to access a wider pool of jobs
- Negotiate effectively — rates are often more flexible than you think
- Build direct relationships with practices for repeat bookings at premium rates
Example Earning Scenarios
If you work only weekdays in a city at around £300 per day, you could expect to earn roughly £75,000 per year. If you mix city weekdays at £300 with one coastal weekend day at £500, your annual income could rise to around £81,000. And if you specialise in coastal and island work — for example, three weekdays at £350 and two weekend days at £500 — you could be looking at an annual income of about £91,000.
How to Maximise Your Locum Earnings in 2025
- Be location‑savvy — target higher‑paying regions when possible
- Stay flexible — work with a variety of employers and settings
- Use multiple agencies — never rely on just one source of work
- Negotiate confidently — know your value and market rates
- Invest in your skills — The Optom Coach offers plenty of products to cut your locum journey into weeks, not years. Furthermore, industry first tools such as The Locum Shifts Heatmap & What If...? Optometrist Income Maximiser help you visualise and strategies your locum journey without the complexities of difficult questions like "if I work here, for this much, for this long: which is best for take home pay?" and so on.
Final Word from The Optom Coach
Locum optometry in the UK offers freedom, flexibility, and strong earning potential — but remember, all the figures above are gross (pre‑tax). As a self‑employed locum, you’ll need to account for:
- Income tax and National Insurance
- Professional indemnity insurance
- Pension contributions
- Travel and accommodation costs (especially for coastal/island work)
- Gaps between bookings — not every week will be fully booked
Approach your locum career with a clear financial plan, keep meticulous records, and set aside money for tax from day one. Combine that with smart location choices, market flexibility, and strong negotiation skills, and you’ll be well on your way to maximising both your income and your lifestyle.
If you’re ready to make the leap from employed to locum life, The Optom Coach has the resources, tools, and courses to help you earn more, work smarter, and transition with confidence.
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