How much does a optometrist make?
The median optometrist in the United States earns $136,570 per year, about $65.66 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all optometrists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 29-1041.
Optometrist salary range
Pay for optometrists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $74,870 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $202,180. The average (mean) wage of $141,550 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $74,870 | $35.99 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $109,400 | $52.59 | |
| Median (50th) | $136,570 | $65.66 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $165,120 | $79.39 | |
| 90th percentile | $202,180 | $97.20 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for optometrists (SOC 29-1041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Optometrist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Optometrists earn the most in Alaska at $170,310 a year, and the least in Oklahoma at $97,350. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Colorado | $152,000 | 880 |
| Massachusetts | $151,730 | 950 |
| Florida | $151,670 | 2,350 |
| Connecticut | $150,340 | 490 |
| South Carolina | $145,950 | 480 |
| Illinois | $145,620 | 1,540 |
| Alabama | $145,090 | 460 |
| New Mexico | $144,660 | 130 |
| Wisconsin | $139,720 | 790 |
| Kansas | $138,580 | 660 |
| Vermont | $137,290 | 90 |
| California | $136,300 | 6,890 |
| Michigan | $135,650 | 1,410 |
| Nevada | $135,650 | 430 |
| Indiana | $135,500 | 1,040 |
| Pennsylvania | $135,400 | 1,720 |
| Ohio | $134,850 | 1,300 |
| District of Columbia | $134,840 | 50 |
| Rhode Island | $134,520 | 250 |
| Tennessee | $134,170 | 660 |
| Missouri | $133,810 | 630 |
| North Dakota | $132,110 | 140 |
| Oregon | $132,020 | 560 |
| Virginia | $131,570 | 1,110 |
| Kentucky | $128,860 | 430 |
| Georgia | $128,830 | 870 |
| Texas | $126,000 | 4,110 |
| New Hampshire | $125,560 | 210 |
| Iowa | $125,380 | 450 |
| Nebraska | $125,040 | 340 |
| Arkansas | $124,470 | 320 |
| Arizona | $122,250 | 1,080 |
| Utah | $119,070 | 380 |
| Louisiana | $118,060 | 250 |
| West Virginia | $118,010 | 150 |
| Wyoming | $111,400 | 90 |
| Mississippi | $108,070 | 240 |
| Montana | $104,280 | 140 |
| Idaho | $103,390 | 160 |
| South Dakota | $102,320 | 190 |
| Oklahoma | $97,350 | 570 |
State median wages for optometrists (SOC 29-1041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for optometrists
The BLS projects employment of optometrists to grow 9.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 45,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 49,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,000 openings a year for optometrists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an optometrist
The typical entry-level education for optometrists is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an optometrist earns
Specialty, work setting, shift differentials, certifications, and region drive the numbers. Hospitals, surgical settings, and high cost metros pay above clinics and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Alaska, $170,310) and the lowest (Oklahoma, $97,350) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 42,790 people work as optometrists in the United States. At $136,570 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Optometrist salary FAQ
How much does an optometrist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an optometrist is $65.66. The middle half of optometrists earn between $52.59 and $79.39 per hour.
What is the highest optometrist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of optometrists earn more than $202,180 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an optometrist make a year?
The median annual salary for an optometrist is $136,570. The average (mean) wage of $141,550 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an optometrist a well paid job?
At $136,570 a year, an optometrist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 42,790 people work as optometrists in the United States.
Which state pays optometrists the most?
Alaska has the highest median salary for optometrists at $170,310 a year. Maryland ($165,840) and North Carolina ($161,560) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an optometrist a good career?
Employment of optometrists is projected to grow 9.5% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 2,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an optometrist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for optometrists as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
Related salaries
See more in Healthcare salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.