Optometrists Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for optometrists in the U.S. is $136,570 ($65.66 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $136,570
- Mean annual wage
- $141,550
- Median hourly wage
- $65.66
- Employment
- 42,790
42,790 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $74,870 | $35.99 |
| 25th percentile | $109,400 | $52.59 |
| Median (50th) | $136,570 | $65.66 |
| 75th percentile | $165,120 | $79.39 |
| 90th percentile | $202,180 | $97.20 |
Highest-paying states for optometrists
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $170,310 | 60 |
| Maryland | $165,840 | 780 |
| North Carolina | $161,560 | 1,140 |
| Delaware | $161,270 | 190 |
| New York | $161,140 | 2,390 |
| New Jersey | $159,040 | 1,380 |
| Minnesota | $158,700 | 710 |
| Washington | $157,560 | 760 |
| Hawaii | $154,620 | 230 |
| Maine | $154,110 | 180 |
Lowest-paying states
- Oklahoma: $97,350 median annual wage
- South Dakota: $102,320 median annual wage
- Idaho: $103,390 median annual wage
- Montana: $104,280 median annual wage
- Mississippi: $108,070 median annual wage
About this occupation
Diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system. Examine eyes and visual system, diagnose problems or impairments, prescribe corrective lenses, and provide treatment. May prescribe therapeutic drugs to treat specific eye conditions.
Typical tasks
- Prescribe, supply, fit and adjust eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision aids.
- Prescribe medications to treat eye diseases if state laws permit.
- Analyze test results and develop a treatment plan.
- Consult with and refer patients to ophthalmologist or other health care practitioner if additional medical treatment is determined necessary.
- Examine eyes, using observation, instruments, and pharmaceutical agents, to determine visual acuity and perception, focus, and coordination and to diagnose diseases and other abnormalities, such as glaucoma or color blindness.
- Provide patients undergoing eye surgeries, such as cataract and laser vision correction, with pre- and post-operative care.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: Doctoral or professional degree
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Master's degree | 3.4% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 96.6% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
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- Nurse Practitioners$132,300
- Pharmacists$140,910
- Physical Therapists$102,760
About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.