SOC 29-1041 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Optometrists — Arizona
Arizona · 2 metro areas compared
In Arizona the median wage is $122,250.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Arizona the median wage is $122,250. That is 10.5% lower than the national median of $136,570. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $104,480 and $165,030. The lowest tenth earn under $99,570, while the highest tenth earn more than $171,490.
Employment stands at 1,080, or 0.3 jobs per thousand held locally. Among the 51 states with published data for this occupation, Arizona ranks 42nd by median wage. Tucson leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $157,650. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 62nd of 712 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $99,570 | −27.1% |
| 25th | $104,480 | −23.5% |
| Median (50th) | $122,250 | −10.5% |
| 75th | $165,030 | +20.8% |
| 90th | $171,490 | +25.6% |
| Mean | $135,280 | −0.9% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Arizona
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Arizona sit close to the national average, so $122,250 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$122,250as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$121,400US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $122,250 a year, 10.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $99,570 to $171,490 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,080 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 42nd of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Tucson, at $157,650.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Optometrists in Arizona?
The median annual wage is $122,250, or $58.78 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $136,570, so pay in Arizona is 10.5% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Arizona earns more than $171,490 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $99,570 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Tucson, at $157,650 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,080 jobs in this occupation in Arizona. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. 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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