Optometrist Salary in Phoenix, AZ
Optometrists in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median $115,960 a year — 15% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $87,718 take-home, or $7,310 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$16,681
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,190
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,681
- Arizona income tax$2,690
- Take-home pay$87,718
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 2.50% state
Optometrist pay by experience in Phoenix, AZ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $99,570 | $47.87 | $76,597 | $6,383 |
| 25th percentile | $105,190 | $50.57 | $80,410 | $6,701 |
| Median (50th) | $115,960 | $55.75 | $87,718 | $7,310 |
| 75th percentile | $166,560 | $80.08 | $121,155 | $10,096 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $172,160 | $82.77 | $124,842 | $10,404 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arizona resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $115,960 buys in Phoenix, AZ
Prices in Phoenix, AZ are 3.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.21× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median optometrist's $87,718 take-home pay has the buying power of $84,902 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Phoenix, AZ has 1.3× the national concentration of optometrist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for optometrists, adjusted for cost of living
Phoenix, AZ ranks #17 of 21 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia, PA | $153,980 | $111,784 | $109,000 |
| 2 | Kansas City, MO | $138,580 | $100,410 | $108,500 |
| 3 | Denver, CO | $158,130 | $113,099 | $106,917 |
| 4 | Minneapolis, MN | $159,790 | $110,772 | $105,676 |
| 5 | Dallas, TX | $140,790 | $107,496 | $104,274 |
| 6 | Detroit, MI | $142,690 | $102,981 | $102,675 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | $154,970 | $109,659 | $101,287 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $161,030 | $112,869 | $100,272 |
| 17 | Phoenix, AZ | $115,960 | $87,718 | $84,902 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 21 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a optometrist make in Phoenix, AZ?
The median optometrist salary in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $115,960 a year, or about $55.75 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $105,190 and $166,560.
What is a optometrist’s take-home pay in Phoenix, AZ?
On the median $115,960 salary, a single filer living in Arizona takes home about $87,718 a year ($7,310 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,690 in Arizona taxes in 2026.
Is Phoenix, AZ a good place to work as a optometrist?
Pay here is 15% below the national median of $136,570. Local prices are 3.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $84,902 would in a typical U.S. city. Phoenix, AZ ranks #17 of 21 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a optometrist afford rent in Phoenix, AZ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Phoenix, AZ is $1,583 a month ($1,839 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median optometrist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Phoenix, AZ
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- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- General Internal Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- Pediatricians, General — $233,950
- Dentists, General — $194,180
- Veterinarian — $161,060
- Pharmacist — $144,490
- Nurse Practitioner — $136,270
- Physician Assistant — $134,650
- Occupational Therapist — $105,060
- Physical Therapist — $103,220
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer — $102,810