Optometrists pay in the United States
In the U.S., the median pay for optometrists is $65.66 an hour ($136,570 a year). About 42,790 people work in this job there.
Pay range for optometrists in the U.S.
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $35.99 | $74,870 |
| 25% of workers | $52.59 | $109,400 |
| Half of workers (median) | $65.66 | $136,570 |
| 75% of workers | $79.39 | $165,120 |
| 90% of workers | $97.20 | $202,180 |
Best-paying states for optometrists
| State | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $170,310 | 60 |
| Maryland | $165,840 | 780 |
| North Carolina | $161,560 | 1,140 |
| Delaware | $161,270 | 190 |
| New York | $161,140 | 2,390 |
| New Jersey | $159,040 | 1,380 |
| Minnesota | $158,700 | 710 |
| Washington | $157,560 | 760 |
| Hawaii | $154,620 | 230 |
| Maine | $154,110 | 180 |
Pay by state
- Arizona · $122,250
- California · $136,300
- Colorado · $152,000
- Florida · $151,670
- Georgia · $128,830
- Illinois · $145,620
- Indiana · $135,500
- Kansas · $138,580
- Maryland · $165,840
- Massachusetts · $151,730
- Michigan · $135,650
- Minnesota · $158,700
- Missouri · $133,810
- New Jersey · $159,040
- New York · $161,140
- North Carolina · $161,560
- Ohio · $134,850
- Oklahoma · $97,350
- Oregon · $132,020
- Pennsylvania · $135,400
- Tennessee · $134,170
- Texas · $126,000
- Virginia · $131,570
- Washington · $157,560
- Wisconsin · $139,720
Education, experience and outlook for optometrists
- Typical education to start: Doctoral or professional degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: None (O*NET)
- Job outlook: +9.5% over ten years, much faster than average · about 2,000 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Physicians, All Other | $265,930 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technicians | $45,570 |
| General Internal Medicine Physicians | $256,560 |
| Chiropractors | $79,200 |
| Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric | $358,550 |
| Dermatologists | $328,730 |
| Neurologists | $248,560 |
| Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | $300,080 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.