SOC 29-1041 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Optometrists — South Nebraska
South Nebraska nonmetropolitan area · 2 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in South Nebraska, NE is $109,990 a year, trailing the national median of $136,570 by 19.5%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in South Nebraska, NE is $109,990 a year, trailing the national median of $136,570 by 19.5%. Half of workers earn between $71,990 and $144,270. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $67,270 and the ninetieth at $176,620.
The area has 50 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.27 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Omaha leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $127,110. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 21st of 411 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $67,270 | −50.7% |
| 25th | $71,990 | −47.3% |
| Median (50th) | $109,990 | −19.5% |
| 75th | $144,270 | +5.6% |
| 90th | $176,620 | +29.3% |
| Mean | $115,230 | −15.6% |
Other metro areas in Nebraska
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Nebraska run 9.9% below the national average, so the median of $109,990 goes as far as $122,075 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$109,990as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$122,075US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $109,990 a year, 19.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $67,270 to $176,620 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 50 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Omaha, at $127,110.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Optometrists in South Nebraska, NE?
The median annual wage is $109,990, or $52.88 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 South Nebraska, NE is 19.5% 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 South Nebraska, NE earns more than $176,620 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $67,270 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 Omaha, at $127,110 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 50 jobs in this occupation in South Nebraska, NE. 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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