Optometrist Salary in Washington, DC
Optometrists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $154,690 a year — 13% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $106,816 take-home, or $8,901 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$25,860
- Social Security (6.2%)$9,591
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,243
- District of Columbia income tax$10,180
- Take-home pay$106,816
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Optometrist pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,120 | $26.02 | $43,584 | $3,632 |
| 25th percentile | $98,490 | $47.35 | $72,715 | $6,060 |
| Median (50th) | $154,690 | $74.37 | $106,816 | $8,901 |
| 75th percentile | $201,810 | $97.02 | $136,075 | $11,340 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $224,040 | $107.71 | $150,064 | $12,505 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $154,690 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median optometrist's $106,816 take-home pay has the buying power of $98,101 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Optometrist jobs are about as common in Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.89).
Best-paying cities for optometrists, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #10 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 |
| 10 | Washington, DC | $154,690 | $106,816 | $98,101 |
*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 Washington, DC?
The median optometrist salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $154,690 a year, or about $74.37 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $98,490 and $201,810.
What is a optometrist’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $154,690 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $106,816 a year ($8,901 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $10,180 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a optometrist?
Pay here is 13% above the national median of $136,570. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $98,101 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #10 of 21 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a optometrist afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median optometrist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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