How Much Does an Optometrist Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$136,570
Optometrists in the U.S. earn a median of $136,570 a year, or $65.66 an hour. Half of optometrists earn more than $136,570 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $202,180.
Pay percentiles for optometrists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35.99 | $74,870 |
| 25th | $52.59 | $109,400 |
| 50th (median) | $65.66 | $136,570 |
| 75th | $79.39 | $165,120 |
| 90th | $97.20 | $202,180 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Optometrists (SOC 29-1041). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for optometrists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $170,310 | $81.88 | +25% |
| Maryland | $165,840 | $79.73 | +21% |
| North Carolina | $161,560 | $77.67 | +18% |
| Delaware | $161,270 | $77.54 | +18% |
| New York | $161,140 | $77.47 | +18% |
| New Jersey | $159,040 | $76.46 | +16% |
| Minnesota | $158,700 | $76.30 | +16% |
| Washington | $157,560 | $75.75 | +15% |
| Hawaii | $154,620 | $74.34 | +13% |
| Maine | $154,110 | $74.09 | +13% |
| United States | $136,570 | $65.66 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many optometrists are there?
BLS counts about 42,790 optometrists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in California (6,890), Texas (4,110) and New York (2,390).
The mean (average) annual wage is $141,550, higher than the median of $136,570.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $11,381
- Biweekly
- $5,253
- Weekly
- $2,626
- Daily (8 hours)
- $525
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do optometrists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for optometrists is $65.66. The middle 50% earn between $52.59 and $79.39 an hour.
Which state pays optometrists the most?
Alaska has the highest median wage for optometrists at $170,310, +25% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for optometrists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of optometrists earn less than $74,870 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.