SOC 29-1041 · May 2025 · United States
Optometrists
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Optometrists across the United States is $136,570 per year, measured over 42,790 jobs. The highest state median is in Alaska, at $170,310.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Where the pay is highest for Optometrists
Pay for this occupation varies by 74.9% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. Alaska pays $170,310 and Oklahoma pays $97,350.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $170,310 | 60 | |
| 2 | Maryland | $165,840 | 780 | |
| 3 | North Carolina | $161,560 | 1,140 | |
| 4 | Delaware | $161,270 | 190 | |
| 5 | New York | $161,140 | 2,390 | |
| 6 | New Jersey | $159,040 | 1,380 | |
| 7 | Minnesota | $158,700 | 710 | |
| 8 | Washington | $157,560 | 760 | |
| 9 | Hawaii | $154,620 | 230 | |
| 10 | Maine | $154,110 | 180 |
States with the most Optometrists jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 6,890 | $136,300 | |
| 2 | Texas | 4,110 | $126,000 | |
| 3 | New York | 2,390 | $161,140 | |
| 4 | Florida | 2,350 | $151,670 | |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 1,720 | $135,400 | |
| 6 | Illinois | 1,540 | $145,620 | |
| 7 | Michigan | 1,410 | $135,650 | |
| 8 | New Jersey | 1,380 | $159,040 | |
| 9 | Ohio | 1,300 | $134,850 | |
| 10 | North Carolina | 1,140 | $161,560 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | La Crosse | $175,810 | 40 |
| 2 | Asheville | $167,980 | 40 |
| 3 | Seattle | $167,810 | 420 |
| 4 | Anchorage | $167,000 | 30 |
| 5 | Durham | $166,880 | 40 |
| 6 | Peoria | $166,600 | 50 |
| 7 | Albuquerque | $165,810 | 70 |
| 8 | Dover | $165,660 | 30 |
| 9 | Buffalo | $165,640 | 160 |
| 10 | Santa Rosa | $165,360 | 80 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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