Optometrist Salary
Optometrists earn a median $136,570 a year nationally. Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
What optometrists do
Diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system. Examine eyes and visual system, diagnose problems or impairments, prescribe corrective lenses, and provide treatment. May prescribe therapeutic drugs to treat specific eye conditions. Ophthalmologists are included in "Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric" (29-1241).
- Typical education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +9.5% (much faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 2,000
- Self-employed
- 5%
Employment of optometrists is projected to grow 9.5% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 2,000 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Optometrist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$21,511
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,467
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,980
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$104,612
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,870 | $36.00 | $61,501 |
| 25th percentile | $109,400 | $52.60 | $85,793 |
| Median (50th) | $136,570 | $65.66 | $104,612 |
| 75th percentile | $165,120 | $79.38 | $124,126 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $202,180 | $97.20 | $150,533 |
Best cities for optometrists (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $161,030 | $112,869 | $100,272 | 2,580 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $138,940 | $95,733 | $84,298 | 2,360 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $161,030
- Los Angeles, CA — $138,940
Optometrist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $170,310 | +2.7% | $127,673 | $98,530 – $218,180 | 60 |
| Maryland | $165,840 | +5.1% | $116,847 | $50,560 – $215,420 | 780 |
| North Carolina | $161,560 | +5.1% | $115,755 | $94,320 – $215,340 | 1,140 |
| Delaware | $161,270 | +16.9% | $112,191 | $77,980 – $188,490 | 190 |
| New York | $161,140 | −1.2% | $112,938 | $95,460 – $203,040 | 2,390 |
| New Jersey | $159,040 | +1.9% | $112,029 | $104,730 – $232,960 | 1,380 |
| Minnesota | $158,700 | +5.8% | $110,113 | $96,670 – $206,960 | 710 |
| Washington | $157,560 | −0.1% | $118,958 | $103,880 – $217,900 | 760 |
| Hawaii | $154,620 | +13.1% | $106,656 | $107,090 – $205,390 | 230 |
| Maine | $154,110 | +15.5% | $107,077 | $102,600 – $239,200+ | 180 |
| Colorado | $152,000 | +10.7% | $109,178 | $65,910 – $212,120 | 880 |
| Massachusetts | $151,730 | +0.6% | $107,607 | $95,780 – $196,470 | 950 |
| Florida | $151,670 | +17.1% | $114,932 | $62,490 – $196,210 | 2,350 |
| Connecticut | $150,340 | +5.1% | $107,153 | $99,200 – $214,040 | 490 |
| South Carolina | $145,950 | +6.2% | $103,423 | $51,740 – $172,060 | 480 |
| Illinois | $145,620 | +6.9% | $103,734 | $93,350 – $190,620 | 1,540 |
| Alabama | $145,090 | +11.9% | $103,446 | $56,740 – $196,600 | 460 |
| New Mexico | $144,660 | −6.4% | $104,384 | $88,160 – $202,980 | 130 |
| Wisconsin | $139,720 | +1.5% | $100,740 | $75,390 – $203,670 | 790 |
| Kansas | $138,580 | +7.8% | $99,052 | $85,010 – $192,720 | 660 |
| Vermont | $137,290 | −12.0% | $98,456 | $60,290 – $194,190 | 90 |
| California | $136,300 | −0.6% | $94,209 | $99,890 – $213,710 | 6,890 |
| Michigan | $135,650 | +3.0% | $98,468 | $98,110 – $213,850 | 1,410 |
| Nevada | $135,650 | −7.6% | $103,983 | $74,530 – $181,520 | 430 |
| Indiana | $135,500 | +6.6% | $99,913 | $76,860 – $193,270 | 1,040 |
| Pennsylvania | $135,400 | +5.6% | $99,655 | $92,970 – $173,380 | 1,720 |
| Ohio | $134,850 | +3.7% | $100,510 | $63,650 – $190,630 | 1,300 |
| District of Columbia | $134,840 | −12.6% | $94,936 | $102,570 – $207,570 | 50 |
| Rhode Island | $134,520 | −6.8% | $98,423 | $71,670 – $215,640 | 250 |
| Tennessee | $134,170 | +21.2% | $102,971 | $47,630 – $167,420 | 660 |
| Missouri | $133,810 | +18.4% | $97,373 | $64,610 – $175,270 | 630 |
| North Dakota | $132,110 | +2.5% | $100,246 | $74,610 – $178,900 | 140 |
| Oregon | $132,020 | +10.0% | $90,732 | $83,830 – $161,480 | 560 |
| Virginia | $131,570 | — | $94,443 | $62,430 – $235,980 | 1,110 |
| Kentucky | $128,860 | −2.4% | $94,949 | $82,240 – $239,200+ | 430 |
| Georgia | $128,830 | −0.7% | $93,258 | $51,030 – $189,610 | 870 |
| Texas | $126,000 | −1.8% | $97,387 | $54,180 – $164,420 | 4,110 |
| New Hampshire | $125,560 | −3.6% | $97,086 | $76,360 – $205,560 | 210 |
| Iowa | $125,380 | +4.5% | $92,851 | $73,660 – $175,460 | 450 |
| Nebraska | $125,040 | +7.0% | $91,921 | $65,170 – $205,450 | 340 |
| Arkansas | $124,470 | +24.5% | $91,700 | $57,960 – $181,520 | 320 |
| Arizona | $122,250 | −9.1% | $91,976 | $99,570 – $171,490 | 1,080 |
| Utah | $119,070 | −4.6% | $88,204 | $44,470 – $172,480 | 380 |
| Louisiana | $118,060 | −1.7% | $88,730 | $45,420 – $183,670 | 250 |
| West Virginia | $118,010 | −9.4% | $87,097 | $69,830 – $198,570 | 150 |
| Wyoming | $111,400 | +26.0% | $87,200 | $51,580 – $178,860 | 90 |
| Mississippi | $108,070 | +0.4% | $81,266 | $63,470 – $215,640 | 240 |
| Montana | $104,280 | −4.0% | $77,660 | $58,450 – $163,030 | 140 |
| Idaho | $103,390 | +54.6% | $77,193 | $52,000 – $189,570 | 160 |
| South Dakota | $102,320 | −14.0% | $80,812 | $90,560 – $174,920 | 190 |
| Oklahoma | $97,350 | −1.6% | $73,480 | $59,990 – $174,620 | 570 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician Assistant | $135,880 | Master's degree | +21.1% |
| Nurse Midwive | $134,040 | Master's degree | +11.5% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 | Master's degree | +41.0% |
| Pharmacist | $140,910 | Doctoral or professional degree | +5.2% |
| Veterinarian | $130,100 | Doctoral or professional degree | +9.4% |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $115,210 | Master's degree | +5.5% |
| Podiatrist | $160,300 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.0% |
| Radiation Therapist | $105,310 | Associate's degree | +2.8% |
| Physical Therapist | $102,760 | Doctoral or professional degree | +11.9% |
| Dentists, General | $170,950 | Doctoral or professional degree | +5.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a optometrist make?
The national median salary for optometrists is $136,570 a year ($65.66 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $74,870 and the top 10% earn over $202,180. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays optometrists the most?
Alaska has the highest median pay at $170,310. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many optometrists are there in the U.S.?
About 42,790 people work as optometrists nationwide.