Optometrist salary
BLS occupation: Optometrists · Healthcare practitioners · data for May 2025
Median salary $136,570 a year, US
Median hourly pay $65.66 an hour
Middle half earn $109,400–$165,120 25th to 75th percentile
Optometrists employed 42,790 +9.5% projected by 2035
How much does an optometrist make?
- The median optometrist salary in the US is $136,570 a year ($65.66 an hour): half of the 42,790 optometrists BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $141,550.
- The middle half earn between $109,400 and $165,120. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $74,870 and the top 10% more than $202,180.
- That is 2.7 times the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Alaska pays optometrists the most (median $170,310), followed by Maryland ($165,840) and North Carolina ($161,560). Oklahoma pays the least ($97,350).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in North Carolina, where the median is worth $171,278 in typical US prices, then Alaska and Alabama. Alaska's higher pay is offset by its prices (102.4 vs a US average of 100).
- In 178 of the 180 metro areas with data, the median optometrist salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of optometrists to grow 9.5% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 2,000 openings a year. The typical entry education is a doctoral or professional degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what optometrists are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Optometrist salary range
Half of optometrists earn between $109,400 and $165,120 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $74,870
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $109,400
Median Yearly pay: $136,570
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $165,120
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $202,180
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $74,870 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $109,400 |
| Median | $136,570 |
| Top 25% earn over | $165,120 |
| Top 10% earn over | $202,180 |
Optometrist salary by state
Alaska pays optometrists the most; Oklahoma the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($136,570), 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 |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $170,310 median |
| Maryland | $165,840 median |
| North Carolina | $161,560 median |
| Delaware | $161,270 median |
| New York | $161,140 median |
| New Jersey | $159,040 median |
| Minnesota | $158,700 median |
| Washington | $157,560 median |
| Hawaii | $154,620 median |
| Maine | $154,110 median |
| Colorado | $152,000 median |
| Massachusetts | $151,730 median |
| Florida | $151,670 median |
| Connecticut | $150,340 median |
| South Carolina | $145,950 median |
| Illinois | $145,620 median |
| Alabama | $145,090 median |
| New Mexico | $144,660 median |
| Wisconsin | $139,720 median |
| Kansas | $138,580 median |
| Vermont | $137,290 median |
| California | $136,300 median |
| Michigan | $135,650 median |
| Nevada | $135,650 median |
| Indiana | $135,500 median |
| Pennsylvania | $135,400 median |
| Ohio | $134,850 median |
| District of Columbia | $134,840 median |
| Rhode Island | $134,520 median |
| Tennessee | $134,170 median |
| Missouri | $133,810 median |
| North Dakota | $132,110 median |
| Oregon | $132,020 median |
| Virginia | $131,570 median |
| Kentucky | $128,860 median |
| Georgia | $128,830 median |
| Texas | $126,000 median |
| New Hampshire | $125,560 median |
| Iowa | $125,380 median |
| Nebraska | $125,040 median |
| Arkansas | $124,470 median |
| Arizona | $122,250 median |
| Utah | $119,070 median |
| Louisiana | $118,060 median |
| West Virginia | $118,010 median |
| Wyoming | $111,400 median |
| Mississippi | $108,070 median |
| Montana | $104,280 median |
| Idaho | $103,390 median |
| South Dakota | $102,320 median |
| Oklahoma | $97,350 median |
Where optometrist 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
Optometrists' pay goes furthest in North Carolina 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 | |
|---|---|
| North Carolina | $171,278 |
| Alaska | $166,385 |
| Alabama | $163,347 |
| Delaware | $161,580 |
| Minnesota | $160,919 |
| Maine | $158,794 |
| Maryland | $158,005 |
| New Mexico | $156,878 |
| South Carolina | $155,682 |
| Kansas | $153,862 |
Optometrist pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $170,310 | $81.88 | $98,530 | $218,180 | 60 | $166,385 |
| Maryland | $165,840 | $79.73 | $50,560 | $215,420 | 780 | $158,005 |
| North Carolina | $161,560 | $77.67 | $94,320 | $215,340 | 1,140 | $171,278 |
| Delaware | $161,270 | $77.53 | $77,980 | $188,490 | 190 | $161,580 |
| New York | $161,140 | $77.47 | $95,460 | $203,040 | 2,390 | $149,313 |
| New Jersey | $159,040 | $76.46 | $104,730 | $232,960 | 1,380 | $146,170 |
| Minnesota | $158,700 | $76.30 | $96,670 | $206,960 | 710 | $160,919 |
| Washington | $157,560 | $75.75 | $103,880 | $217,900 | 760 | $147,234 |
| Hawaii | $154,620 | $74.34 | $107,090 | $205,390 | 230 | $140,626 |
| Maine | $154,110 | $74.09 | $102,600 | $241,200 | 180 | $158,794 |
| Colorado | $152,000 | $73.08 | $65,910 | $212,120 | 880 | $147,498 |
| Massachusetts | $151,730 | $72.95 | $95,780 | $196,470 | 950 | $143,470 |
| Florida | $151,670 | $72.92 | $62,490 | $196,210 | 2,350 | $146,663 |
| Connecticut | $150,340 | $72.28 | $99,200 | $214,040 | 490 | $145,102 |
| South Carolina | $145,950 | $70.17 | $51,740 | $172,060 | 480 | $155,682 |
| Illinois | $145,620 | $70.01 | $93,350 | $190,620 | 1,540 | $145,681 |
| Alabama | $145,090 | $69.75 | $56,740 | $196,600 | 460 | $163,347 |
| New Mexico | $144,660 | $69.55 | $88,160 | $202,980 | 130 | $156,878 |
| Wisconsin | $139,720 | $67.17 | $75,390 | $203,670 | 790 | $148,488 |
| Kansas | $138,580 | $66.63 | $85,010 | $192,720 | 660 | $153,862 |
| Vermont | $137,290 | $66.00 | $60,290 | $194,190 | 90 | $140,152 |
| California | $136,300 | $65.53 | $99,890 | $213,710 | 6,890 | $123,103 |
| Michigan | $135,650 | $65.22 | $98,110 | $213,850 | 1,410 | $140,983 |
| Nevada | $135,650 | $65.22 | $74,530 | $181,520 | 430 | $135,678 |
| Indiana | $135,500 | $65.14 | $76,860 | $193,270 | 1,040 | $145,185 |
| Pennsylvania | $135,400 | $65.10 | $92,970 | $173,380 | 1,720 | $138,769 |
| Ohio | $134,850 | $64.83 | $63,650 | $190,630 | 1,300 | $145,353 |
| District of Columbia | $134,840 | $64.83 | $102,570 | $207,570 | 50 | $122,692 |
| Rhode Island | $134,520 | $64.67 | $71,670 | $215,640 | 250 | $131,521 |
| Tennessee | $134,170 | $64.50 | $47,630 | $167,420 | 660 | $146,043 |
| Missouri | $133,810 | $64.33 | $64,610 | $175,270 | 630 | $147,340 |
| North Dakota | $132,110 | $63.51 | $74,610 | $178,900 | 140 | $148,507 |
| Oregon | $132,020 | $63.47 | $83,830 | $161,480 | 560 | $127,727 |
| Virginia | $131,570 | $63.25 | $62,430 | $235,980 | 1,110 | $130,133 |
| Kentucky | $128,860 | $61.95 | $82,240 | $254,630 | 430 | $142,925 |
| Georgia | $128,830 | $61.94 | $51,030 | $189,610 | 870 | $133,790 |
| Texas | $126,000 | $60.58 | $54,180 | $164,420 | 4,110 | $129,821 |
| New Hampshire | $125,560 | $60.37 | $76,360 | $205,560 | 210 | $120,540 |
| Iowa | $125,380 | $60.28 | $73,660 | $175,460 | 450 | $142,864 |
| Nebraska | $125,040 | $60.12 | $65,170 | $205,450 | 340 | $138,775 |
| Arkansas | $124,470 | $59.84 | $57,960 | $181,520 | 320 | $143,173 |
| Arizona | $122,250 | $58.77 | $99,570 | $171,490 | 1,080 | $121,428 |
| Utah | $119,070 | $57.25 | $44,470 | $172,480 | 380 | $120,438 |
| Louisiana | $118,060 | $56.76 | $45,420 | $183,670 | 250 | $133,844 |
| West Virginia | $118,010 | $56.74 | $69,830 | $198,570 | 150 | $131,859 |
| Wyoming | $111,400 | $53.56 | $51,580 | $178,860 | 90 | $120,184 |
| Mississippi | $108,070 | $51.96 | $63,470 | $215,640 | 240 | $124,286 |
| Montana | $104,280 | $50.13 | $58,450 | $163,030 | 140 | $110,180 |
| Idaho | $103,390 | $49.71 | $52,000 | $189,570 | 160 | $108,269 |
| South Dakota | $102,320 | $49.19 | $90,560 | $174,920 | 190 | $115,504 |
| Oklahoma | $97,350 | $46.80 | $59,990 | $174,620 | 570 | $110,823 |
After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Optometrist salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes optometrist pay: 182 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
- La Crosse, WI $175,810
- Asheville, NC $167,980
- Seattle, WA $167,810
- Anchorage, AK $167,000
- Durham, NC $166,880
- Peoria, IL $166,600
- Albuquerque, NM $165,810
- Dover, DE $165,660
- Buffalo, NY $165,640
- Santa Rosa, CA $165,360
Where the pay goes furthest
- La Crosse, WI $191,579
- Peoria, IL $182,613
- Birmingham, AL $177,742
- Winston-Salem, NC $176,591
- Killeen, TX $176,074
- Asheville, NC $174,062
- Kingsport, TN $174,003
- Albuquerque, NM $173,539
- Huntsville, AL $173,167
- Buffalo, NY $172,823
All 182 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Crosse, WI | $175,810 | 40 | $191,579 | 9% |
| Asheville, NC | $167,980 | 40 | $174,062 | 12% |
| Seattle, WA | $167,810 | 420 | $150,999 | 16% |
| Anchorage, AK | $167,000 | 30 | $158,414 | 14% |
| Durham, NC | $166,880 | 40 | $171,033 | 12% |
| Peoria, IL | $166,600 | 50 | $182,613 | 8% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $165,810 | 70 | $173,539 | 11% |
| Dover, DE | $165,660 | 30 | $169,895 | 13% |
| Buffalo, NY | $165,640 | 160 | $172,823 | 11% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $165,360 | 80 | $153,418 | 19% |
| Albany, NY | $164,020 | 130 | $164,735 | 12% |
| Wilmington, NC | $163,800 | 120 | $169,878 | 13% |
| Raleigh, NC | $163,290 | 240 | $166,356 | 12% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $163,240 | 80 | $161,419 | 15% |
| Birmingham, AL | $162,890 | 110 | $177,742 | 10% |
| North Port, FL | $162,690 | 80 | $158,851 | 16% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $162,540 | 70 | $176,591 | 11% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $161,850 | 90 | $147,914 | 17% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $161,560 | 150 | $162,398 | 12% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $161,540 | 80 | $157,833 | 14% |
| Portland, ME | $161,220 | 100 | $158,279 | 17% |
| Huntsville, AL | $161,170 | 50 | $173,167 | 10% |
| New York, NY | $161,030 | 2,580 | $143,058 | 26% |
| Daphne, AL | $160,680 | 40 | $169,691 | 13% |
| Killeen, TX | $160,460 | 30 | $176,074 | 10% |
| Orlando, FL | $160,090 | 290 | $157,852 | 14% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $159,790 | 470 | $152,439 | 13% |
| Rochester, NY | $159,380 | 120 | $164,250 | 12% |
| Savannah, GA | $159,330 | 30 | $167,353 | 13% |
| Denver, CO | $158,130 | 470 | $149,487 | 14% |
| Deltona, FL | $157,970 | 50 | $158,976 | 13% |
| Tucson, AZ | $157,650 | 80 | $162,700 | 11% |
| Charlotte, NC | $157,210 | 260 | $161,493 | 13% |
| Lakeland, FL | $157,140 | 120 | $161,765 | 14% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $156,990 | 300 | $164,612 | 12% |
| Columbia, SC | $156,350 | 90 | $166,930 | 12% |
| Trenton, NJ | $155,960 | 70 | $151,153 | 19% |
| Vallejo, CA | $155,950 | 90 | $143,761 | 19% |
| Boston, MA | $154,970 | 710 | $143,138 | 23% |
| Washington, DC | $154,690 | 770 | $142,069 | 19% |
| Charleston, SC | $154,660 | 70 | $153,186 | 16% |
| Barnstable, MA | $154,290 | 30 | $156,877 | 20% |
| Pensacola, FL | $154,050 | 70 | $157,649 | 14% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $153,980 | 890 | $150,145 | 15% |
| Syracuse, NY | $153,790 | 100 | $160,630 | 13% |
| Boulder, CO | $153,500 | 60 | $145,910 | 17% |
| Ocala, FL | $152,880 | 40 | $160,531 | 13% |
| Allentown, PA | $150,640 | 100 | $150,688 | 15% |
| New Haven, CT | $150,640 | 90 | $144,072 | 16% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $150,520 | 40 | $150,155 | – |
| Kingsport, TN | $150,420 | 50 | $174,003 | 11% |
| Hartford, CT | $150,340 | 190 | $146,322 | 16% |
| Appleton, WI | $150,060 | 60 | $162,369 | 10% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $150,010 | 50 | $160,195 | 14% |
| Worcester, MA | $149,600 | 90 | $145,918 | 17% |
| Kennewick, WA | $149,510 | 30 | $149,392 | 14% |
| Greenville, SC | $149,380 | 70 | $160,176 | 13% |
| Chicago, IL | $145,630 | 1,160 | $140,576 | 18% |
| Roanoke, VA | $144,900 | 40 | $154,778 | 12% |
| Green Bay, WI | $144,840 | 40 | $155,598 | 9% |
| Baltimore, MD | $144,270 | 330 | $138,075 | 16% |
| Nashville, TN | $144,260 | 180 | $149,744 | 15% |
| Burlington, VT | $143,700 | 30 | $142,349 | 22% |
| Olympia, WA | $142,720 | 40 | $137,668 | 17% |
| Detroit, MI | $142,690 | 610 | $142,266 | 13% |
| Wausau, WI | $142,690 | 30 | $154,008 | 8% |
| San Francisco, CA | $142,580 | 1,180 | $123,325 | 29% |
| Honolulu, HI | $141,770 | 170 | $127,766 | 26% |
| Reno, NV | $141,230 | 80 | $139,812 | 18% |
| Dallas, TX | $140,790 | 870 | $136,570 | 14% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $140,160 | 50 | $128,826 | 28% |
| Lubbock, TX | $140,070 | 60 | $153,389 | 11% |
| Providence, RI | $139,910 | 310 | $137,473 | 19% |
| Chico, CA | $139,890 | 30 | $138,235 | 13% |
| Reading, PA | $139,400 | 40 | $143,623 | 13% |
| Lexington, KY | $139,060 | 40 | $149,706 | 14% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $139,030 | 60 | $139,023 | 16% |
| Sacramento, CA | $139,020 | 510 | $130,327 | 20% |
| Dayton, OH | $139,000 | 70 | $149,956 | 11% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $138,940 | 2,360 | $122,343 | 25% |
| Kansas City, MO | $138,580 | 450 | $149,747 | 13% |
| South Bend, IN | $138,360 | 30 | $149,002 | 11% |
| Springfield, MO | $138,160 | 70 | $155,963 | 11% |
| Tampa, FL | $138,130 | 350 | $136,911 | 17% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $138,120 | 70 | $149,043 | 12% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $137,590 | 340 | $143,778 | 13% |
| Modesto, CA | $137,480 | 90 | $132,055 | 18% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $137,250 | 150 | $136,069 | 14% |
| Hickory, NC | $136,920 | 40 | $154,736 | 14% |
| Fresno, CA | $136,730 | 100 | $133,842 | 18% |
| Springfield, MA | $136,680 | 30 | $142,285 | 17% |
| Waterbury, CT | $136,590 | 50 | $136,894 | – |
| Portland, OR | $136,250 | 350 | $129,244 | 16% |
| New Orleans, LA | $136,200 | 50 | $147,089 | 14% |
| Cleveland, OH | $135,880 | 250 | $144,672 | 13% |
| Louisville, KY | $135,720 | 230 | $145,819 | 12% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $135,460 | 310 | $135,169 | 15% |
| San Jose, CA | $135,330 | 580 | $122,556 | 34% |
| Visalia, CA | $135,160 | 30 | $135,397 | 15% |
| St. Louis, MO | $135,090 | 340 | $142,068 | 13% |
| York, PA | $134,990 | 80 | $140,615 | 12% |
| Lafayette, IN | $134,830 | 50 | $144,311 | 13% |
| Salem, OR | $134,590 | 60 | $129,852 | 15% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $134,420 | 170 | $140,686 | 14% |
| Albany, GA | $134,250 | 40 | $153,133 | 10% |
| Erie, PA | $134,230 | 40 | $147,587 | 10% |
| Flint, MI | $134,030 | 70 | $144,066 | 9% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $133,820 | 90 | $135,651 | 13% |
| Evansville, IN | $133,800 | 40 | $146,185 | 10% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $133,770 | 50 | $132,603 | 17% |
| Columbus, OH | $133,370 | 260 | $139,700 | 14% |
| Salinas, CA | $133,350 | 60 | $122,292 | 25% |
| San Diego, CA | $133,280 | 540 | $119,120 | 27% |
| Scranton, PA | $133,010 | 80 | $142,172 | 12% |
| Bloomington, IL | $132,740 | 40 | $141,912 | 12% |
| Fargo, ND | $132,690 | 40 | $146,020 | 10% |
| Stockton, CA | $132,390 | 70 | $125,979 | 22% |
| Lancaster, PA | $132,360 | 60 | $134,708 | 14% |
| El Paso, TX | $132,240 | 70 | $147,077 | 14% |
| Clarksville, TN | $132,200 | 30 | $145,359 | 12% |
| Ogden, UT | $132,160 | 70 | $131,700 | 15% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $132,130 | 210 | $136,305 | 14% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $131,980 | 100 | $131,053 | 16% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $131,960 | 30 | $150,584 | 11% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $131,890 | 80 | $144,374 | 14% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $131,770 | 70 | $138,939 | 12% |
| Akron, OH | $131,210 | 70 | $140,527 | 12% |
| Richmond, VA | $131,080 | 180 | $133,949 | 16% |
| Beaumont, TX | $131,060 | 40 | $145,548 | 12% |
| Topeka, KS | $130,930 | 30 | $147,410 | 11% |
| Lansing, MI | $130,710 | 70 | $137,603 | 12% |
| Toledo, OH | $130,640 | 60 | $142,846 | 12% |
| Austin, TX | $130,460 | 350 | $133,033 | 15% |
| McAllen, TX | $130,450 | 50 | $151,871 | 10% |
| Augusta, GA | $130,390 | 70 | $141,878 | 13% |
| Riverside, CA | $129,990 | 510 | $122,123 | 23% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $129,900 | 340 | $137,212 | 14% |
| Bend, OR | $129,810 | 40 | $125,291 | 21% |
| Des Moines, IA | $129,780 | 110 | $141,525 | 12% |
| Amarillo, TX | $129,490 | 40 | $141,026 | 12% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $129,390 | 60 | $139,772 | 12% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $129,370 | 100 | $128,234 | 17% |
| Oxnard, CA | $129,150 | 120 | $116,842 | 27% |
| Memphis, TN | $129,080 | 110 | $140,032 | 13% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $129,020 | 30 | $118,807 | 26% |
| Davenport, IA | $128,890 | 40 | $144,692 | 9% |
| Atlanta, GA | $128,830 | 450 | $128,755 | 17% |
| College Station, TX | $128,500 | 40 | $141,285 | 14% |
| Madison, WI | $128,220 | 100 | $131,796 | 17% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $128,010 | 40 | $143,247 | 12% |
| Longview, TX | $127,840 | 30 | $142,862 | 11% |
| Tyler, TX | $127,300 | 40 | $138,135 | 12% |
| Canton, OH | $127,190 | 40 | $142,261 | 11% |
| Omaha, NE | $127,110 | 140 | $138,297 | 13% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $126,600 | 60 | $138,415 | 14% |
| Lincoln, NE | $126,510 | 70 | $138,140 | 12% |
| Spokane, WA | $126,180 | 60 | $125,745 | 14% |
| Eugene, OR | $125,760 | 40 | $123,819 | 17% |
| Miami, FL | $125,530 | 820 | $109,965 | 25% |
| Knoxville, TN | $125,090 | 80 | $135,132 | 17% |
| Houston, TX | $124,640 | 1,250 | $126,373 | 16% |
| Manchester, NH | $124,470 | 100 | $117,806 | 21% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $124,470 | 70 | $137,337 | 12% |
| Wichita, KS | $123,940 | 120 | $139,343 | 12% |
| Jackson, MS | $122,770 | 60 | $137,869 | 14% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $122,150 | 50 | $111,151 | 34% |
| Columbus, GA | $121,830 | 30 | $136,434 | 13% |
| Bismarck, ND | $121,100 | 30 | $133,042 | 13% |
| Traverse City, MI | $118,030 | 40 | $126,408 | 19% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $115,960 | 860 | $112,238 | 18% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $115,210 | 40 | $126,911 | 14% |
| Johnson City, TN | $115,210 | 30 | $131,028 | 15% |
| Little Rock, AR | $114,360 | 70 | $127,971 | 13% |
| San Antonio, TX | $111,780 | 730 | $118,016 | 15% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $109,200 | 40 | $127,142 | 12% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $104,870 | 170 | $115,996 | 16% |
| Boise, ID | $103,890 | 60 | $105,589 | 22% |
| Huntington, WV | $103,670 | 30 | $117,245 | 13% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $102,860 | 50 | $115,621 | 14% |
| Tulsa, OK | $100,250 | 190 | $112,370 | 16% |
| Provo, UT | $86,250 | 60 | $87,802 | 25% |
| St. George, UT | $79,990 | 30 | $82,192 | 28% |
What the median optometrist salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $136,570 |
| Month | $11,381 |
| Every two weeks | $5,253 |
| Week | $2,626 |
| Hour | $65.66 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming an optometrist: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +9.5% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 2,000 |
| Self-employed | 5% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
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Questions about optometrist pay
How much does an optometrist make an hour?
The median is $65.66 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $35.99 and the top 10% over $97.20.
How much does an optometrist make a month?
About $11,381 a month before taxes at the median salary of $136,570, or $5,253 every two weeks.
What state pays optometrists the most?
Alaska, with a median of $170,310. Maryland ($165,840), North Carolina ($161,560), Delaware ($161,270) and New York ($161,140) follow.
Where do optometrists make the most after cost of living?
North Carolina: its median of $161,560 is worth $171,278 at typical US prices. Alaska, Alabama and Delaware come next.
How much do entry-level optometrists make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of optometrists earn under $74,870 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $109,400, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become an optometrist?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a doctoral or professional degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 29-1041 (Optometrists). 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.