Ophthalmologist salary
BLS occupation: Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric · Healthcare practitioners · data for May 2025
How much does an ophthalmologist make?
- The median ophthalmologist salary in the US is $300,080 a year ($144.27 an hour): half of the 8,950 ophthalmologists BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $304,650.
- The middle half earn between $173,650 and $421,530. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $100,180 and the top 10% more than $489,710.
- That is 5.9 times the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Rhode Island pays ophthalmologists the most (median $450,370), followed by New Hampshire ($404,330) and California ($400,150). Kentucky pays the least ($101,940).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Iowa, where the median is worth $449,967 in typical US prices, then Rhode Island and Georgia. Rhode Island's higher pay is offset by its prices (102.3 vs a US average of 100).
- In all 30 metro areas with data, the median ophthalmologist salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of ophthalmologists to grow 4.5% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 200 openings a year. The typical entry education is a doctoral or professional degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what ophthalmologists are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Ophthalmologist salary range
Half of ophthalmologists earn between $173,650 and $421,530 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $100,180 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $173,650 |
| Median | $300,080 |
| Top 25% earn over | $421,530 |
| Top 10% earn over | $489,710 |
Ophthalmologist salary by state
Rhode Island pays ophthalmologists the most; Kentucky the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($300,080), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $450,370 median |
| New Hampshire | $404,330 median |
| California | $400,150 median |
| Florida | $399,440 median |
| Iowa | $394,900 median |
| Georgia | $382,920 median |
| Minnesota | $372,200 median |
| New York | $360,050 median |
| Nevada | $345,600 median |
| Maine | $337,850 median |
| Oregon | $334,450 median |
| Massachusetts | $325,200 median |
| Texas | $323,010 median |
| Alabama | $305,200 median |
| Washington | $304,830 median |
| Pennsylvania | $304,290 median |
| Colorado | $288,050 median |
| Illinois | $284,630 median |
| Ohio | $271,270 median |
| Arkansas | $259,320 median |
| Vermont | $258,910 median |
| Tennessee | $231,040 median |
| Missouri | $228,410 median |
| Oklahoma | $215,760 median |
| South Carolina | $214,160 median |
| Wisconsin | $213,890 median |
| South Dakota | $211,990 median |
| Maryland | $211,770 median |
| Utah | $188,490 median |
| Michigan | $179,720 median |
| Virginia | $177,410 median |
| Indiana | $168,600 median |
| Louisiana | $155,250 median |
| Kentucky | $101,940 median |
Where ophthalmologist pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Ophthalmologists' pay goes furthest in Iowa once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Iowa | $449,967 |
| Rhode Island | $440,330 |
| Georgia | $397,661 |
| New Hampshire | $388,163 |
| Florida | $386,253 |
| Minnesota | $377,404 |
| California | $361,407 |
| Maine | $348,120 |
| Nevada | $345,673 |
| Alabama | $343,605 |
Ophthalmologist pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $450,370 | $216.52 | $122,660 | $459,080 | 180 | $440,330 |
| New Hampshire | $404,330 | $194.39 | $74,360 | $437,240 | 50 | $388,163 |
| California | $400,150 | $192.38 | $99,040 | $499,330 | 820 | $361,407 |
| Florida | $399,440 | $192.04 | $163,880 | $639,960 | 580 | $386,253 |
| Iowa | $394,900 | $189.86 | $48,510 | $483,360 | 90 | $449,967 |
| Georgia | $382,920 | $184.10 | $148,190 | $469,730 | 120 | $397,661 |
| Minnesota | $372,200 | $178.94 | $143,260 | $488,550 | 180 | $377,404 |
| New York | $360,050 | $173.10 | $93,820 | $478,760 | 960 | $333,624 |
| Nevada | $345,600 | $166.15 | $84,990 | $476,390 | – | $345,673 |
| Maine | $337,850 | $162.43 | $162,230 | $447,130 | 90 | $348,120 |
| Oregon | $334,450 | $160.79 | $172,330 | $478,800 | 210 | $323,575 |
| Massachusetts | $325,200 | $156.35 | $115,240 | $420,470 | 450 | $307,497 |
| Texas | $323,010 | $155.29 | $90,370 | $487,890 | – | $332,804 |
| Alabama | $305,200 | $146.73 | $173,050 | $465,770 | – | $343,605 |
| Washington | $304,830 | $146.55 | $84,480 | $509,040 | 180 | $284,853 |
| Pennsylvania | $304,290 | $146.29 | $91,460 | $457,660 | 310 | $311,862 |
| Colorado | $288,050 | $138.49 | $173,810 | $446,100 | 100 | $279,519 |
| Illinois | $284,630 | $136.84 | $53,970 | $421,300 | 620 | $284,750 |
| Ohio | $271,270 | $130.42 | $168,550 | $545,790 | 150 | $292,399 |
| Arkansas | $259,320 | $124.67 | $124,690 | $421,600 | 30 | $298,285 |
| Vermont | $258,910 | $124.48 | $166,850 | $344,880 | 30 | $264,307 |
| Tennessee | $231,040 | $111.08 | $122,550 | $570,020 | 230 | $251,486 |
| Missouri | $228,410 | $109.81 | $215,990 | $622,380 | – | $251,506 |
| Oklahoma | $215,760 | $103.73 | $215,760 | $215,760 | – | $245,620 |
| South Carolina | $214,160 | $102.96 | $173,810 | $421,530 | 100 | $228,440 |
| Wisconsin | $213,890 | $102.83 | $100,670 | $440,140 | 250 | $227,313 |
| South Dakota | $211,990 | $101.92 | $208,110 | $215,770 | 130 | $239,304 |
| Maryland | $211,770 | $101.81 | $100,180 | $360,960 | 260 | $201,764 |
| Utah | $188,490 | $90.62 | $59,240 | $480,640 | 30 | $190,656 |
| Michigan | $179,720 | $86.40 | $80,730 | $469,050 | 150 | $186,786 |
| Virginia | $177,410 | $85.29 | $142,730 | $539,110 | – | $175,473 |
| Indiana | $168,600 | $81.06 | $132,880 | $489,710 | 160 | $180,651 |
| Louisiana | $155,250 | $74.64 | $118,980 | $230,730 | 30 | $176,006 |
| Kentucky | $101,940 | $49.01 | $33,650 | $451,590 | 70 | $113,067 |
BLS does not publish pay for ophthalmologists in 17 states (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Ophthalmologist salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes ophthalmologist pay: 30 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- San Jose, CA $700,850
- Los Angeles, CA $433,520
- San Francisco, CA $429,080
- Atlanta, GA $412,900
- Providence, RI $399,020
- Minneapolis, MN $389,450
- Worcester, MA $387,810
- Dallas, TX $359,980
- Portland, ME $337,850
- Las Vegas, NV $332,670
Where the pay goes furthest
- San Jose, CA $634,696
- Atlanta, GA $412,661
- Providence, RI $392,069
- Los Angeles, CA $381,734
- Worcester, MA $378,266
- Minneapolis, MN $371,535
- San Francisco, CA $371,135
- Dallas, TX $349,190
- Las Vegas, NV $331,956
- Portland, ME $331,687
All 30 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $700,850 | 60 | $634,696 | 7% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $433,520 | – | $381,734 | 8% |
| San Francisco, CA | $429,080 | – | $371,135 | 10% |
| Atlanta, GA | $412,900 | 60 | $412,661 | 5% |
| Providence, RI | $399,020 | 200 | $392,069 | 7% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $389,450 | – | $371,535 | 5% |
| Worcester, MA | $387,810 | 30 | $378,266 | 7% |
| Dallas, TX | $359,980 | 210 | $349,190 | 6% |
| Portland, ME | $337,850 | 60 | $331,687 | 8% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $332,670 | – | $331,956 | 6% |
| Boston, MA | $325,200 | 330 | $300,371 | 11% |
| Houston, TX | $320,450 | 180 | $324,904 | 6% |
| New York, NY | $302,410 | – | $268,658 | 14% |
| Allentown, PA | $298,430 | – | $298,526 | 7% |
| Chicago, IL | $284,630 | 510 | $274,753 | 9% |
| Spokane, WA | $280,210 | – | $279,244 | 6% |
| Buffalo, NY | $269,700 | – | $281,395 | 6% |
| Rochester, NY | $269,570 | 40 | $277,807 | 7% |
| Eugene, OR | $260,000 | 40 | $255,986 | 8% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $258,750 | – | $281,119 | 7% |
| San Antonio, TX | $255,480 | – | $269,733 | 7% |
| Syracuse, NY | $239,000 | 40 | $249,629 | 8% |
| Nashville, TN | $232,300 | 120 | $241,130 | 9% |
| Washington, DC | $226,640 | – | $208,148 | 13% |
| Albany, NY | $218,380 | 80 | $219,332 | 9% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $215,760 | – | $238,651 | 8% |
| Rapid City, SD | $211,990 | 70 | $237,764 | 8% |
| Baltimore, MD | $210,490 | 130 | $201,451 | 11% |
| Lexington, KY | $182,490 | 30 | $196,460 | 11% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $168,600 | 110 | $176,183 | 11% |
What the median ophthalmologist salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $300,080 |
| Month | $25,007 |
| Every two weeks | $11,542 |
| Week | $5,771 |
| Hour | $144.27 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming an ophthalmologist: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | Internship/residency |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +4.5% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 200 |
| Self-employed | 5.7% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound tech | $96,590 | Associate's degree |
| Vet tech | $47,380 | Associate's degree |
| Speech-language pathologist | $97,870 | Master's degree |
| Physician assistant | $135,880 | Master's degree |
| Nurse practitioner | $132,300 | Master's degree |
| Medical lab tech | $62,930 | Bachelor's degree |
| MRI tech | $95,480 | Associate's degree |
| CRNA | $236,590 | Master's degree |
Questions about ophthalmologist pay
How much does an ophthalmologist make an hour?
The median is $144.27 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $48.16 and the top 10% over $235.44.
How much does an ophthalmologist make a month?
About $25,007 a month before taxes at the median salary of $300,080, or $11,542 every two weeks.
What state pays ophthalmologists the most?
Rhode Island, with a median of $450,370. New Hampshire ($404,330), California ($400,150), Florida ($399,440) and Iowa ($394,900) follow.
Where do ophthalmologists make the most after cost of living?
Iowa: its median of $394,900 is worth $449,967 at typical US prices. Rhode Island, Georgia and New Hampshire come next.
How much do entry-level ophthalmologists make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of ophthalmologists earn under $100,180 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $173,650, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become an ophthalmologist?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a doctoral or professional degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: internship/residency.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 29-1241 (Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.