The average salary for a optometrist in the United States is $143,000, but the range typically falls between $101,650 and $162,070. This corresponds to an average hourly wage of $68.75, with a range between $48.87 and $77.92.
There are approximately 41,390 people employed as a optometrist in the United States. With California, Texas, Florida employing the highest number of optometrists.The state with the best pay for a optometrist is Maryland, with an average annual salary of $166,770, while Idaho has the lowest average annual salary of $104,020.
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $64,980 | $31.24 |
| 25th Percentile | $101,650 | $48.87 |
| Median | $131,860 | $63.39 |
| 75th Percentile | $162,070 | $77.92 |
| 90th Percentile | $204,100 | $98.13 |
The salary of a optometrist can vary depending on the state. Below is a map of the United States showing the average annual salary for a optometrist in each state. The darker the color, the higher the salary. The best states for optometrists are Maryland, New York, Alaska, New Mexico, North Carolina while the worst states are Idaho, Oklahoma, Missouri, Wyoming, Mississippi.
| State | Low-end | Average | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $49,280 | $115,970 | $193,570 |
| Alaska | $41,400 | $148,460 | >$239,200 |
| Arizona | $73,790 | $150,690 | $171,930 |
| Arkansas | $79,580 | $146,360 | >$239,200 |
| California | $68,990 | $137,330 | $208,400 |
| Colorado | $62,300 | $143,910 | $208,740 |
| Connecticut | $45,330 | $151,270 | >$239,200 |
| Delaware | $76,960 | $141,480 | $201,280 |
| District of Columbia | $35,410 | $148,610 | >$239,200 |
| Florida | $49,440 | $130,950 | $208,940 |
| Georgia | $70,020 | $123,070 | $186,680 |
| Hawaii | $104,950 | $143,970 | $200,200 |
| Idaho | $36,930 | $104,020 | $188,360 |
| Illinois | $45,950 | $129,440 | $170,200 |
| Indiana | $42,900 | $117,600 | $158,710 |
| Iowa | $42,690 | $122,970 | $174,080 |
| Kansas | $77,280 | $138,280 | $210,640 |
| Kentucky | $84,990 | $161,300 | >$239,200 |
| Louisiana | $63,180 | $131,460 | $230,740 |
| Maine | $85,040 | $147,470 | $212,620 |
| Maryland | $98,270 | $166,770 | $230,110 |
| Massachusetts | $84,170 | $142,680 | $169,630 |
| Michigan | $91,580 | $130,870 | $162,890 |
| Minnesota | $101,110 | $138,010 | $172,320 |
| Mississippi | $60,020 | $124,000 | $212,620 |
| Missouri | $62,180 | $109,890 | $158,920 |
| Montana | $68,080 | $123,890 | >$239,200 |
| Nebraska | $59,690 | $118,120 | $164,600 |
| Nevada | $58,290 | $122,610 | $157,670 |
| New Hampshire | $62,520 | $161,030 | >$239,200 |
| New Jersey | $56,780 | $141,870 | $185,140 |
| New Mexico | $97,860 | $146,280 | $180,600 |
| New York | $84,240 | $152,450 | $199,030 |
| North Carolina | $95,390 | $171,170 | >$239,200 |
| North Dakota | $78,080 | $140,620 | $214,860 |
| Ohio | $69,100 | $129,000 | $168,460 |
| Oklahoma | $34,920 | $105,720 | $167,710 |
| Oregon | $76,430 | $130,280 | $164,670 |
| Pennsylvania | $91,700 | $147,280 | $203,460 |
| Rhode Island | $134,200 | $146,950 | $164,920 |
| South Carolina | $49,600 | $114,430 | $171,050 |
| South Dakota | $79,480 | $115,290 | $162,440 |
| Tennessee | $64,020 | $127,850 | $170,580 |
| Texas | $61,620 | $152,060 | $193,130 |
| Utah | $51,010 | $139,280 | $213,330 |
| Vermont | $88,530 | $153,540 | $212,790 |
| Washington | $97,320 | $143,750 | $182,320 |
| West Virginia | $65,930 | $135,680 | $172,630 |
| Wisconsin | $74,740 | $143,750 | $206,890 |
| Wyoming | $24,730 | $115,400 | $227,490 |
Even between cities, the salary of a optometrist can vary. For example, the areas with the highest average salary for optometrists is Hagerstown-Martinsburg area, MD with an average salary of $276,380.The city with the lowest average salary for optometrists is Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area, WY with an average salary of $78,910.
Areas with highest average salaries for optometrists
Areas with lowest average salaries for optometrists
The number of optometrists in the United States has been increasing over the years. Since 2020, the number of optometrists has increased by 4,700. On average, the number of optometrists has been increasing by 3.2% each year. The salary of optometrists has been increasing. Since 2020, the salary of optometrists has increased by $17,560. On average, the salary of optometrists has been increasing by 3.5% each year.
Optometrists are part of the healthcare practitioners and technical occupations group. Below is a comparison of the average annual salary for optometrists compared to other jobs in the same occupation group. View all healthcare practitioners and technical occupations jobs here.
$123,840 per year
$62,870 per year
$75,250 per year
$89,890 per year
$84,260 per year
$270,560 per year
