What is the average optometrist salary?
Optometrists are eye care professionals who provide eye and vision care. They may work part- or full-time in a variety of healthcare settings. As of May 2022, the average annual salary for a full-time optometrist in the United States was $133,100 as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Wages for optometrists vary in the same manner as most occupations. The percentile wage estimates for optometrists from the May 2022 report are as follows:
- 10%: (Annual) $62,150
(Hourly) $29.88
- 25%: (Annual) $96,980
(Hourly) $46.63
- 50% (Annual) $125,590 (median)
(Hourly) $60.38
- 75%: (Annual) $156,030
(Hourly) $75.01
- 90%: (Annual) $191,430
(Hourly) $92.03
Optometrists earned a median salary of $125,590. The top-paid 10% of optometrists made $191,430 or more while the lowest-paid 10% earned $62,150 or less.
What factors affect eye doctor salaries?
As doctors of optometry (OD), optometrists provide care to patients in various capacities and settings. These may include:
- Optometry offices
- Physician offices
- Outpatient care centers
- Government facilities
- Hospitals
- Academia
Salary and other compensation factors for optometrists may differ in each setting. The practice setting may have an impact on the average annual salary an eye doctor may earn. For instance, outpatient centers, ambulatory facilities and physician offices are among the top-paying industries for optometrists. Government facilities and academia tend to be on the lower end of the pay scale for the profession.
An optometrist's salary may also be affected by their education, certifications, experience and geographic location.
Optometrist salary by state
As of May 2022, there were approximately 40,640 optometrists in the United States (excluding self-employed optometrists). Salaries for optometrists vary from state to state and among geographic locations within each state. The volume of available optometry jobs also varies according to these factors.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2022 report indicates the following salary and employment information per state.
Alabama
- Average annual salary: $121,300
- Average hourly wage: $58.32
Alaska
Alaska is one of the top-paying states for optometrists. It also has one of the highest concentration of optometrist jobs in the country.
- Average annual salary: $180,470
- Average hourly wage: $86.77
Arizona
- Average annual salary: $140,870
- Average hourly wage: $67.73
Arkansas
- Average annual salary: $129,950
- Average hourly wage: $62.48
California
Employment levels for optometrists in California are among the highest in the nation. The state also has one of the highest concentrations of optometrist jobs in the United States.
- Average annual salary: $128,160
- Average hourly wage: $61.62
Colorado
- Average annual salary: $137,290
- Average hourly wage: $66.00
Connecticut
- Average annual salary: $144,550
- Average hourly wage: $69.50
Delaware
- Average annual salary: $116,520
- Average hourly wage: $56.02
District of Columbia
- Average annual salary: $110,700
- Average hourly wage: $53.22
Florida
Florida has one of the highest employment levels for optometrists in the nation.
- Average annual salary: $108,820
- Average hourly wage: $52.32
Georgia
- Average annual salary: $138,670
- Average hourly wage: $66.67
Hawaii
Hawaii has one of the highest concentrations of optometrists jobs in the United States.
- Average annual salary: $139,320
- Average hourly wage: $66.98
Idaho
- Average annual salary: $105,660
- Average hourly wage: $50.80
Illinois
- Average annual salary: $132,460
- Average hourly wage: $63.69
Indiana
- Average annual salary: $113,400
- Average hourly wage: $54.52
Iowa
Iowa has one of the highest concentrations of optometrists jobs in the United States.
- Average annual salary: $125,340
- Average hourly wage: $60.26
Kansas
- Average annual salary: $114,870
- Average hourly wage: $55.23
Kentucky
Kentucky is among the top-paying states for optometrists.
- Average annual salary: $152,100
- Average hourly wage: $73.12
Louisiana
- Average annual salary: $141,990
- Average hourly wage: $68.27
Maine
- Average annual salary: $129,480
- Average hourly wage: $62.25
Maryland
- Average annual salary: $143,690
- Average hourly wage: $69.08
Massachusetts
Massachusetts is among the highest-paying states for optometrists.
- Average annual salary: $150,500
- Average hourly wage: $72.36
Michigan
- Average annual salary: $129,230
- Average hourly wage: $62.13
Minnesota
- Average annual salary: $142,050
- Average hourly wage: $68.29
Mississippi
- Average annual salary: $125,210
- Average hourly wage: $60.20
Missouri
- Average annual salary: $139,760
- Average hourly wage: $67.19
Montana
- Average annual salary: $113,290
- Average hourly wage: $54.47
(May 2022 wage details were not released for the state of Montana. The information presented here is based on 2021 Montana Department of Labor & Industry statistics.)
Nebraska
- Average annual salary: $126,500
- Average hourly wage: $60.82
Nevada
- Average annual salary: $120,420
- Average hourly wage: $57.90
New Hampshire
- Average annual salary: $136,220
- Average hourly wage: $65.49
New Jersey
- Average annual salary: $143,460
- Average hourly wage: $68.97
New Mexico
- Average annual salary: $109,180
- Average hourly wage: $52.49
(May 2022 wage details were not released for the state of New Mexico. The information presented here is based on the May 2021 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report.)
New York
Employment levels for optometrists are among the highest in the United States.
- Average annual salary: $140,720
- Average hourly wage: $67.65
North Carolina
Optometrists in North Carolina are among the highest-paid in the nation.
- Average annual salary: $156,110
- Average hourly wage: $75.05
North Dakota
North Dakota has one of the highest concentrations of optometrist jobs in the country.
- Average annual salary: $135,000
- Average hourly wage: $64.90
Ohio
Employment levels for optometrists are some of the highest in the United States.
- Average annual salary: $121,040
- Average hourly wage: $58.19
Oklahoma
- Average annual salary: $94,620
- Average hourly wage: $45.49
Oregon
- Average annual salary: $120,690
- Average hourly wage: $58.03
Pennsylvania
- Average annual salary: $136,220
- Average hourly wage: $65.49
Rhode Island
- Average annual salary: $134,660
- Average hourly wage: $67.74
(May 2022 wage details were not released for the state of Rhode Island. The information presented here is based on the 2022 Rhode Island Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics file.)
South Carolina
- Average annual salary: $101,480
- Average hourly wage: $48.79
South Dakota
- Average annual salary: $108,280
- Average hourly wage: $52.06
Tennessee
- Average annual salary: $110,830
- Average hourly wage: $53.29
Texas
Optometrists in Texas are among the highest-paid in the United States. Employment levels for eye doctors in Texas are also among the highest in the nation.
- Average annual salary: $145,610
- Average hourly wage: $70.01
Utah
- Average annual salary: $107,830
- Average hourly wage: $51.84
Vermont
- Average annual salary: $131,070
- Average hourly wage: $63.01
Virginia
- Average annual salary: $123,340
- Average hourly wage: $59.30
(May 2022 wage details were not released for Virginia. The information presented here is based on the May 2021 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report.)
Washington
- Average annual salary: $125,760
- Average hourly wage: $60.46
West Virginia
- Average annual salary: $111,560
- Average hourly wage: $53.64
Wisconsin
- Average annual salary: $134,830
- Average hourly wage: $64.82
Wyoming
- Average annual salary: $136,950
- Average hourly wage: $65.84
Highest optometrist salary
Optometrists make the most money in the Piedmont (middle) region of North Carolina.
- Average annual salary: $245.10
- Average hourly wage: $117.85
The top-paying metropolitan area for optometrists is in Wilmington, NC.
- Average annual salary: $216,180
- Average hourly wage: $103.93
Lowest optometrist salary
Optometrists make the least amount of money in Oklahoma, South Carolina and Idaho.
The lowest-paying area for optometrists in the United States is northeastern Oklahoma as of May 2022.
- Average annual salary: $81,350
- Average hourly wage: $39.11
What is the job outlook for optometry?
The job outlook for eye doctors is highly favorable. The projected growth rate for optometrists from 2022 to 2032 is 9%, higher than the 3% average growth rate for all occupations combined. Optometry employment levels are forecasted to increase by an average of 1,700 jobs year over year during this period of time. READ NEXT: Optometrist vs. ophthalmologist: How to choose an eye doctor
