SOC 291041

Optometrists

Diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system. Examine eyes and visual system, diagnose problems or impairments, prescribe corrective lenses, and provide treatment. May prescribe therapeutic drugs to treat specific eye conditions. Ophthalmologists are included in "Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric" (29-1241).

National Median

$134,830

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$134,830

Entry Level (10th pct)

$70,060

Experienced (90th pct)

$203,210

Total Employed

41,890

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$70,060 - $103,310
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$103,310 - $163,710
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$163,710 - $203,210

Highest Paying Locations for Optometrists

La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN

$176,930

+31.2% vs national

Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area

$166,920

+23.8% vs national

Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA

$165,870

+23.0% vs national

Alaska

$165,830

+23.0% vs national

Reno, NV

$165,060

+22.4% vs national

Optometrists Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN	$176,930	40
Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area	$166,920	80
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$165,870	80
Alaska	$165,830	70
Reno, NV	$165,060	80
Albuquerque, NM	$165,050	70
Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL	$164,560	40
Syracuse, NY	$163,400	120
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$163,320	720
New York	$163,040	2,500
Anchorage, AK	$162,980	40
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$162,820	550
New Haven, CT	$162,450	110
Winston-Salem, NC	$162,090	90
Fayetteville, NC	$161,820	40
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY	$161,120	90
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$160,520	2,410
Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY	$160,390	170
Boulder, CO	$159,830	70
Dover, DE	$159,700	30
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC	$159,190	50
Maryland	$157,830	870
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$157,750	980
Washington	$157,650	930
Barnstable Town, MA	$156,810	30
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$156,610	430
Vallejo, CA	$156,410	90
Burlington-South Burlington, VT	$156,000	50
Vermont	$156,000	100
New Jersey	$156,000	950
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$155,890	760
Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area	$155,770	40
Wilmington, NC	$155,760	130
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$155,310	450
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$155,200	540
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	$154,700	330
New Mexico	$154,630	140
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$154,450	490
District of Columbia	$154,300	60
Charleston-North Charleston, SC	$154,120	60
Fort Collins-Loveland, CO	$153,870	80
North Carolina	$153,750	1,400
Raleigh-Cary, NC	$153,730	320
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	$152,660	40
Rochester, MN	$151,470	30
Kennewick-Richland, WA	$151,320	40
Massachusetts	$150,820	1,120
Worcester, MA	$150,820	130
Minnesota	$150,020	700
Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC	$149,510	100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Optometrists?

The national median annual salary for Optometrists is $134,830, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Optometristss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Optometristss is La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN, with a median salary of $176,930.

How much can an experienced Optometrists make?

Top-earning Optometristss (90th percentile) make $203,210 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.