Ophthalmologist salary: What does an ophthalmologist earn in Germany?

As an ophthalmologist in Germany, you can expect an attractive salary. Your earnings depend on various factors, such as your professional experience, your position and whether you work in your own practice or as a permanent employee. On average, the gross salary for ophthalmologists is around 7,200 euros per month, with career starters often earning around 5,000 euros initially.

In ophthalmology, there are many ways in which you can shape your career. Whether as a salaried ophthalmologist in a clinic, as an ophthalmologist with your own practice or in a managerial position - each path offers different earning opportunities. The region in which you work also plays a role in your ophthalmologist salary. In this article, you can find out everything you need to know about pay in ophthalmology.

Ophthalmologist salary: factors influencing remuneration

The salary of an ophthalmologist depends on various factors. One of the most important is the type of employment relationship. As an ophthalmological specialist with your own practice, you can earn significantly more than if you are employed.

In a permanent position, your earnings depend largely on your position and professional experience. You can find out how your salary develops in the individual positions in these articles:

• Assistant doctor salary
• Senior physician salary
• Chief physician salary

The place of work also influences your salary. Specialist doctors who are paid according to the collective agreement for doctors at university hospitals (TV-Ärzte TdL) tend to earn more than those in municipal hospitals (TV-Ärzte VKA). Regional differences can also be observed - salaries are often higher in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg than in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania or Saxony-Anhalt.

As an ophthalmologist, you have good earning potential, especially if you have your own practice. However, even if you are employed, your salary will increase steadily with increasing experience and responsibility. By negotiating skilfully and choosing the right place to work, you can further optimise your income.

Collective agreements for ophthalmologists

In employment relationships, collective agreements regulate the salary of ophthalmologists. These agreements differ depending on the type of institution, such as university hospitals, municipal hospitals or private hospitals. Let's take a closer look at the details for different institutions.

Ophthalmologist salary at university hospitals: TV-Ärzte TdL

According to the current TV-Ärzte TdL, valid until 31 January 2025, the remuneration for ophthalmologists at university hospitals is as follows:

• Assistant doctors: € 5,308.41 to € 6,814.12 gross per month
• Specialists: € 7,006.25 to € 8,775.73 gross per month

Ophthalmologist salary at municipal hospitals: TV-Ärzte VKA

In municipal hospitals, the salary for ophthalmologists is slightly lower in accordance with TV-Ärzte VKA:

• Assistant doctors: €5,288 (first year) to €6,798 (sixth year) gross per month
• Specialists: €6,980 to €8,964 (from year 13) gross per month

Collective agreements at private clinics

Most private clinics, such as Asklepios, Helios, Rhön or Sana, also have their own collective agreements. In this case, the salary of ophthalmologists varies depending on the organisation, with pay fluctuating in the first year as a junior doctor. With increasing experience, however, salaries converge with the remuneration structures in public hospitals.

As you can see, collective agreements play an important role in the salaries of ophthalmologists in Germany. They ensure transparent and fair remuneration structures that are based on the qualifications and experience of ophthalmologists - regardless of whether they work in a university clinic, a municipal hospital or a private clinic in cities such as Munich or elsewhere.

Negotiating the ophthalmologist's salary: Helpful tips

The first step is to analyse your individual starting position. What factors speak in favour of a higher salary? Have you completed additional qualifications or specialised further training? Do you take on additional responsibility or have you already successfully treated the visual organs of many patients? Gather all the relevant arguments that will strengthen your negotiating position.

The federal state and the size of the eye clinic also play a role in the remuneration of specialists. Find out in advance about standard industry salaries in your region to get a realistic idea. Salary comparisons and discussions with colleagues can help you with this.

In the actual negotiation, it is an advantage if you make the first offer. This sets the scene and signals your self-confidence at the same time. Don't be discouraged by the employer's first counteroffer, but argue objectively why you deserve more. Remain friendly and professional, even if the negotiations can be tough.

Supplements and additional benefits to the ophthalmologist's salary

As an ophthalmologist in a clinic or practice, you have the opportunity to supplement your gross salary with various bonuses. Shifts at weekends, on public holidays and at night are particularly lucrative. The more of these shifts you take on for eye examinations, the higher your monthly salary will be.

In addition to bonuses, many hospitals and university clinics also offer attractive additional benefits for ophthalmologists. These include, for example

• Company pension scheme
• Childcare
• Promotion of further education and training
• Assumption of costs for specialist journals and literature
• Discounts at gyms or other leisure activities

These additional benefits can offer considerable added value and make your overall package as an ophthalmologist much more attractive. It is best to find out about the options offered by your potential employer during the application phase or at the latest during salary negotiations.

Geographical salary differences for ophthalmologists

As an ophthalmologist, you can practise an attractive profession with good earning potential throughout Germany by examining eyes. However, the figures show that there are significant regional differences in salary. In addition to the well-known urban-rural divide, the federal state in particular plays a decisive role in your income in this profession.

A comparison of salaries across Germany reveals both a north-south and a west-east divide. While ophthalmologists in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania earn an average of 5,556 euros gross per month, this figure is around 7,800 euros in Hesse or Baden-Württemberg. However, the question of the best-paid federal state cannot be answered in general terms, as important influencing factors such as age structure and professional experience are often not taken into account.

There are also sometimes considerable salary differences within the federal states. In Bavaria, for example, you earn significantly more as an ophthalmologist in Munich or Nuremberg than in rural regions. The same applies to North Rhine-Westphalia: While salaries in Cologne and Düsseldorf are above average, you can expect to earn less in smaller towns or rural areas.

Regardless of location, working in an MVZ (medical care centre) or a group practice often offers better earning opportunities than working in an individual practice. The position within the practice or clinic also affects your salary: As a practice owner or in positions with a managerial role, you can earn significantly more than in an employee position.

Salary as an ophthalmologist with own practice

As an ophthalmologist with your own practice, you can earn a significantly higher salary than as an employee. Self-employed ophthalmologists generate an average net income of 370,000 euros per year, which corresponds to a monthly income of around 30,800 euros. In comparison, the annual salary of a salaried ophthalmologist in a practice, including bonuses, is between 153,000 and 214,000 euros.

Ophthalmologists in private practice have an average annual income of 728,000 euros per practice, with expenses of 358,000 euros. The net income per practice is therefore around 541,000 euros. These figures show the financial advantages of having your own practice compared to being employed. However, self-employment also requires entrepreneurial thinking and a willingness to take risks.

The factors influencing practice profits

The actual profit of an ophthalmological practice depends on various factors. Your professional experience plays an important role, as it has an impact on patient numbers and trust. The location of the practice and local competition also influence success. In regions with higher purchasing power and a lower density of doctors, higher income tends to be possible.

Another factor is the fixed costs of the practice, such as rent, staff and equipment. Particularly at the beginning, high investments are required for specialised equipment. Profits can be increased through good capacity utilisation and efficient practice organisation. Specialising in certain treatments or billing for IGeL services can also have a positive effect. Overall, having your own practice as an ophthalmologist offers the chance of an above-average salary, but also requires business management skills and commitment.