What is the average optometrist salary?
Optometrists are eye care professionals who provide eye and vision care. They may work part- or full-time in a variety of healthcare settings. As of May 2025, the average annual salary for a full-time optometrist in the United States was $141,550 as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Wages for optometrists vary in the same manner as most occupations. The percentile wage estimates for optometrists from the May 2025 report are as follows:
- 10%: (Annual)$109,400
(Hourly) $35.99
- 25%: (Annual) $109,400
(Hourly) $52.59
- 50% (Annual) $136,570 (median)
(Hourly) $65.66
- 75%: (Annual) $165,120
(Hourly) $79.39
- 90%: (Annual) $202,180
(Hourly) $97.20
Optometrists earned a median salary of $136,570. The top-paid 10% of optometrists made $202,180 or more while the lowest-paid 10% earned $74,870 or less.
What factors affect eye doctor salaries?
As doctors of optometry (OD), optometrists provide care to patients in various capacities and settings. These may include:
- Optometry offices
- Physician offices
- Outpatient care centers
- Government facilities
- Hospitals
- Academia
Salary and other compensation factors for optometrists may differ in each setting. The practice setting may have an impact on the average annual salary an eye doctor may earn. For instance, outpatient centers, ambulatory facilities and physician offices are among the top-paying industries for optometrists. Government facilities and academia tend to be on the lower end of the pay scale for the profession.
An optometrist's salary may also be affected by their education, certifications, experience and geographic location.
Optometrist salary by state
As of May 2025, there were approximately 42,790 optometrists in the United States (excluding self-employed optometrists). Salaries for optometrists vary from state to state and among geographic locations within each state. The volume of available optometry jobs also varies according to these factors.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2024 report indicates the following salary and employment information per state.
Alabama
- Average annual salary: $137,460
- Average hourly wage: $66.09
Alaska
Optometrists in Alaska are among the highest-paid in the nation.
- Average annual salary: $165,120
- Average hourly wage: $79.38
Arizona
- Average annual salary: $135,280
- Average hourly wage: $65.04
Arkansas
- Average annual salary: $125,460
- Average hourly wage: $60.32
California
Employment levels for optometrists in California are among the highest in the nation.
- Average annual salary: $147,420
- Average hourly wage: $70.87
Colorado
- Average annual salary: $152,460
- Average hourly wage: $73.30
Connecticut
- Average annual salary: $147,820
- Average hourly wage: $71.07
Delaware
- Average annual salary: $142,820
- Average hourly wage: $68.66
District of Columbia
- Average annual salary: $145,590
- Average hourly wage: $70.00
Florida
Florida has one of the highest employment levels for optometrists in the nation.
- Average annual salary: $143,020
- Average hourly wage: $68.76
Georgia
- Average annual salary: $128,630
- Average hourly wage: $61.84
Hawaii
- Average annual salary: $149,920
- Average hourly wage: $72.08
Idaho
- Average annual salary: $113,870
- Average hourly wage: $54.74
Illinois
- Average annual salary: $143,720
- Average hourly wage: $69.10
Indiana
- Average annual salary: $137,020
- Average hourly wage: $65.87
Iowa
- Average annual salary: $123,250
- Average hourly wage: $59.25
Kansas
- Average annual salary: $140,510
- Average hourly wage: $67.55
Kentucky
- Average annual salary: $142,710
- Average hourly wage: $68.61
Louisiana
- Average annual salary: $121,000
- Average hourly wage: $58.17
Maine
- Average annual salary: $160,730
- Average hourly wage: $77.27
Maryland
- Average annual salary: $148,910
- Average hourly wage: $71.59
Massachusetts
- Average annual salary: $152,550
- Average hourly wage: $73.34
Michigan
- Average annual salary: $144,610
- Average hourly wage: $69.52
Minnesota
- Average annual salary: $151,450
- Average hourly wage: $72.81
Mississippi
- Average annual salary: $126,580
- Average hourly wage: $60.86
Missouri
- Average annual salary: $133,680
- Average hourly wage: $64.27
Montana
- Average annual salary: $106,200
- Average hourly wage: $51.06
Nebraska
- Average annual salary: $132,660
- Average hourly wage: $63.78
Nevada
- Average annual salary: $137,020
- Average hourly wage: $65.88
New Hampshire
- Average annual salary: $146,430
- Average hourly wage: $70.40
New Jersey
- Average annual salary: $161,110
- Average hourly wage: $77.46
New Mexico
- Average annual salary: $153,180
- Average hourly wage: $73.64
New York
Employment levels for optometrists are among the highest in the United States.
- Average annual salary: $153,130
- Average hourly wage: $73.62
North Carolina
- Average annual salary: $161,030
- Average hourly wage: $77.42
North Dakota
- Average annual salary: $132,080
- Average hourly wage: $63.50
Ohio
- Average annual salary: $133,960
- Average hourly wage: $64.40
Oklahoma
- Average annual salary: $114,710
- Average hourly wage: $55.15
Oregon
- Average annual salary: $127,920
- Average hourly wage: $61.50
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has one of the highest employment levels for optometrists in the nation.
- Average annual salary: $139,660
- Average hourly wage: $67.15
Rhode Island
- Average annual salary: $145,800
- Average hourly wage: $70.10
South Carolina
- Average annual salary: $129,570
- Average hourly wage: $62.29
South Dakota
- Average annual salary: $118,060
- Average hourly wage: $56.76
Tennessee
- Average annual salary: $120,920
- Average hourly wage: $58.14
Texas
Employment levels for eye doctors in Texas are also among the highest in the nation.
- Average annual salary: $124,760
- Average hourly wage: $59.98
Utah
- Average annual salary: $128,180
- Average hourly wage: $61.63
Vermont
- Average annual salary: $146,240
- Average hourly wage: $70.30
Virginia
- Average annual salary: $155,530
- Average hourly wage: $74.77
Washington
- Average annual salary: $159,380
- Average hourly wage: $76.62
West Virginia
- Average annual salary: $130,750
- Average hourly wage: $62.86
Wisconsin
- Average annual salary: $142,800
- Average hourly wage: $68.65
Wyoming
- Average annual salary: $115,500
- Average hourly wage: $55.53
Highest optometrist salary
Based on data from 2025, optometrists make the most money in Roanoke, VA.
- Average annual salary: $219,610
- Average hourly wage: $105.58
Lowest optometrist salary
Optometrists make the least amount of money in Oklahoma, Montana and Idaho.
The lowest-paying area for optometrists in the United States is Oklahoma as of May 2025.
- Average annual salary: $91,220
- Average hourly wage: $43.85
What is the job outlook for optometry?
The job outlook for eye doctors is highly favorable. The projected growth rate for optometrists from 2024 to 2034 is 8%, higher than the average growth rate for all occupations combined. Optometry employment levels are forecasted to increase by an average of 2,400 jobs year over year during this period of time.
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