SOC 29-1041 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Optometrists — Virginia
Virginia · 3 metro areas compared
The median wage for Optometrists in Virginia is $131,570 per year, close to the national median of $136,570 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Optometrists in Virginia is $131,570 per year, close to the national median of $136,570 for the same occupation. Pay ranges from under $62,430 at the tenth percentile to more than $235,980 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $106,900 to $163,890.
Employment stands at 1,110, or 0.3 jobs per thousand held locally. Among the 51 states with published data for this occupation, Virginia ranks 34th by median wage. Roanoke leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $144,900. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 60th of 747 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $62,430 | −54.3% |
| 25th | $106,900 | −21.7% |
| Median (50th) | $131,570 | −3.7% |
| 75th | $163,890 | +20.0% |
| 90th | $235,980 | +72.8% |
| Mean | $155,530 | +13.9% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Virginia
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Virginia sit close to the national average, so $131,570 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$131,570as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$130,138US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $131,570 a year, 3.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $62,430 to $235,980 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,110 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 34th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Roanoke, at $144,900.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Optometrists in Virginia?
The median annual wage is $131,570, or $63.25 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 Virginia is 3.7% 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 Virginia earns more than $235,980 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $62,430 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 Roanoke, at $144,900 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,110 jobs in this occupation in Virginia. 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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