Optometrist Salary Overview
The Optometrist is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $129,370. Compensation typically ranges from $76,200 for entry-level positions to $185,400 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Optometrist in the US earns between $76,200 and $185,400 per year, with a median of $129,370.
Optometrist Salary by Experience
Entry-level optometrists earn around $84,090, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $174,650 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $84,090 | $40/hr | $63,585 |
| Mid | $129,370 | $62/hr | $91,008 |
| Senior | $181,118 | $87/hr | $121,877 |
| Lead | $194,055 | $93/hr | $130,318 |
Optometrist Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Optometrist in each US state.
Pay for optometrists varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $129,370 | $20,296 | $6,304 | $9,897 | $92,874 | 28.2% |
| Alaska | $129,370 | $20,296 | $0 | $9,897 | $99,177 | 23.3% |
| Arizona | $129,370 | $20,296 | $2,869 | $9,897 | $96,308 | 25.6% |
| Arkansas | $129,370 | $20,296 | $5,466 | $9,897 | $93,711 | 27.6% |
| California | $129,370 | $20,296 | $8,169 | $9,897 | $91,008 | 29.7% |
| Colorado | $129,370 | $20,296 | $5,032 | $9,897 | $94,145 | 27.2% |
| Connecticut | $129,370 | $20,296 | $6,512 | $9,897 | $92,665 | 28.4% |
| Delaware | $129,370 | $20,296 | $7,307 | $9,897 | $91,870 | 29.0% |
| District of Columbia | $129,370 | $20,296 | $8,155 | $9,897 | $91,022 | 29.6% |
| Florida | $129,370 | $20,296 | $0 | $9,897 | $99,177 | 23.3% |
| Georgia | $129,370 | $20,296 | $6,444 | $9,897 | $92,734 | 28.3% |
| Hawaii | $129,370 | $20,296 | $9,745 | $9,897 | $89,432 | 30.9% |
| Idaho | $129,370 | $20,296 | $6,657 | $9,897 | $92,521 | 28.5% |
| Illinois | $129,370 | $20,296 | $6,266 | $9,897 | $92,911 | 28.2% |
| Indiana | $129,370 | $20,296 | $3,946 | $9,897 | $95,232 | 26.4% |
| Iowa | $129,370 | $20,296 | $4,916 | $9,897 | $94,261 | 27.1% |
| Kansas | $129,370 | $20,296 | $6,717 | $9,897 | $92,460 | 28.5% |
| Kentucky | $129,370 | $20,296 | $5,048 | $9,897 | $94,129 | 27.2% |
| Louisiana | $129,370 | $20,296 | $4,917 | $9,897 | $94,260 | 27.1% |
| Maine | $129,370 | $20,296 | $7,712 | $9,897 | $91,465 | 29.3% |
| Maryland | $129,370 | $20,296 | $6,043 | $9,897 | $93,134 | 28.0% |
| Massachusetts | $129,370 | $20,296 | $6,248 | $9,897 | $92,929 | 28.2% |
| Michigan | $129,370 | $20,296 | $5,260 | $9,897 | $93,917 | 27.4% |
| Minnesota | $129,370 | $20,296 | $7,459 | $9,897 | $91,718 | 29.1% |
| Mississippi | $129,370 | $20,296 | $5,502 | $9,897 | $93,675 | 27.6% |
| Missouri | $129,370 | $20,296 | $5,339 | $9,897 | $93,839 | 27.5% |
| Montana | $129,370 | $20,296 | $6,525 | $9,897 | $92,652 | 28.4% |
| Nebraska | $129,370 | $20,296 | $6,035 | $9,897 | $93,143 | 28.0% |
| Nevada | $129,370 | $20,296 | $0 | $9,897 | $99,177 | 23.3% |
| New Hampshire | $129,370 | $20,296 | $0 | $9,897 | $99,177 | 23.3% |
| New Jersey | $129,370 | $20,296 | $6,115 | $9,897 | $93,063 | 28.1% |
| New Mexico | $129,370 | $20,296 | $5,344 | $9,897 | $93,833 | 27.5% |
| New York | $129,370 | $20,296 | $7,049 | $9,897 | $92,128 | 28.8% |
| North Carolina | $129,370 | $20,296 | $5,248 | $9,897 | $93,929 | 27.4% |
| North Dakota | $129,370 | $20,296 | $2,238 | $9,897 | $96,939 | 25.1% |
| Ohio | $129,370 | $20,296 | $3,058 | $9,897 | $96,120 | 25.7% |
| Oklahoma | $129,370 | $20,296 | $5,655 | $9,897 | $93,522 | 27.7% |
| Oregon | $129,370 | $20,296 | $10,813 | $9,897 | $88,364 | 31.7% |
| Pennsylvania | $129,370 | $20,296 | $3,972 | $9,897 | $95,206 | 26.4% |
| Rhode Island | $129,370 | $20,296 | $4,909 | $9,897 | $94,268 | 27.1% |
| South Carolina | $129,370 | $20,296 | $6,652 | $9,897 | $92,525 | 28.5% |
| South Dakota | $129,370 | $20,296 | $0 | $9,897 | $99,177 | 23.3% |
| Tennessee | $129,370 | $20,296 | $0 | $9,897 | $99,177 | 23.3% |
| Texas | $129,370 | $20,296 | $0 | $9,897 | $99,177 | 23.3% |
| Utah | $129,370 | $20,296 | $6,016 | $9,897 | $93,162 | 28.0% |
| Vermont | $129,370 | $20,296 | $6,720 | $9,897 | $92,457 | 28.5% |
| Virginia | $129,370 | $20,296 | $6,923 | $9,897 | $92,255 | 28.7% |
| Washington | $129,370 | $20,296 | $0 | $9,897 | $99,177 | 23.3% |
| West Virginia | $129,370 | $20,296 | $5,735 | $9,897 | $93,442 | 27.8% |
| Wisconsin | $129,370 | $20,296 | $5,769 | $9,897 | $93,409 | 27.8% |
| Wyoming | $129,370 | $20,296 | $0 | $9,897 | $99,177 | 23.3% |
Top Cities for Optometrist Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for optometrists tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | $142,307 |
| Manchester, NH | $142,307 |
| Charlotte, NC | $142,307 |
| Newark, NJ | $142,307 |
| Charleston, SC | $142,307 |
Calculate Optometrist Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
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Tax Breakdown
Federal Income Tax
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Tax Distribution
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a Optometrist
Becoming a optometrist typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Optometrist Career Outlook
Employment of optometrists is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Optometrist Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for optometrists in the US is $129,370, with a typical range from $76,200 to $185,400 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for optometrists include PA, NH, NC. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level optometrists can expect to earn around $84,090 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a optometrist can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for optometrists is approximately $62.20, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.