Optometrists Salary by State (2024)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 49 states compared · Updated: 2026-03-31
Optometrists Salary in All 50 States
Compare Optometrists pay across the country. Click any state for the full salary breakdown including percentiles, employment numbers, and related jobs.
| State | Median Salary | Mean Salary | Entry Level | Top Earners | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $165,830 | $154,110 | $43,000 | $236,860 | 70 |
| New York | $163,040 | $158,600 | $108,190 | $196,270 | 2,500 |
| Maryland | $157,830 | $142,060 | $51,130 | $196,360 | 870 |
| Washington | $157,650 | $159,450 | $114,460 | $211,020 | 930 |
| New Jersey | $156,000 | $145,500 | $49,920 | $183,010 | 950 |
| Vermont | $156,000 | $146,710 | $59,360 | $190,490 | 100 |
| New Mexico | $154,630 | $156,800 | $94,310 | $185,820 | 140 |
| North Carolina | $153,750 | $159,420 | $72,310 | N/A | 1,400 |
| Massachusetts | $150,820 | $150,070 | $106,970 | $186,330 | 1,120 |
| Minnesota | $150,020 | $143,450 | $93,430 | $199,990 | 700 |
| Nevada | $146,760 | $138,650 | $83,330 | $174,990 | 360 |
| Rhode Island | $144,360 | $144,670 | $64,710 | $207,430 | 220 |
| Connecticut | $143,000 | $154,780 | $49,760 | $217,040 | 410 |
| Delaware | $137,910 | $134,830 | $75,250 | $182,050 | 180 |
| Wisconsin | $137,650 | $141,570 | $69,490 | $212,440 | 750 |
| South Carolina | $137,450 | $123,900 | $55,290 | $163,480 | 480 |
| Colorado | $137,370 | $144,980 | $61,500 | $231,400 | 980 |
| California | $137,070 | $142,850 | $71,860 | $213,420 | 6,790 |
| Hawaii | $136,670 | $145,060 | $99,040 | $207,970 | 230 |
| Illinois | $136,200 | $134,250 | $68,320 | $176,130 | 1,670 |
| Arizona | $134,430 | $139,300 | $95,990 | $174,530 | 960 |
| Maine | $133,470 | $158,880 | $100,510 | $235,420 | 170 |
| Kentucky | $132,000 | $154,120 | $51,880 | N/A | 500 |
| Michigan | $131,700 | $133,610 | $95,470 | $162,700 | 1,330 |
| New Hampshire | $130,310 | $167,100 | $69,000 | $236,210 | 200 |
| West Virginia | $130,190 | $136,210 | $63,460 | $215,640 | 150 |
| Ohio | $130,000 | $131,550 | $53,900 | $172,420 | 1,450 |
| Alabama | $129,700 | $125,860 | $54,420 | $175,260 | 470 |
| Georgia | $129,690 | $132,250 | $79,640 | $202,610 | 860 |
| Florida | $129,500 | $132,350 | $52,610 | $205,020 | 2,280 |
| North Dakota | $128,940 | $130,840 | $79,960 | $168,510 | 180 |
| Kansas | $128,510 | $142,400 | $94,990 | $212,900 | 460 |
| Texas | $128,360 | $132,370 | $44,610 | $177,360 | 3,180 |
| Pennsylvania | $128,260 | $135,880 | $79,310 | $175,410 | 1,530 |
| Indiana | $127,080 | $133,060 | $66,160 | $207,430 | 960 |
| Utah | $124,830 | $140,770 | $55,010 | $219,690 | 410 |
| Louisiana | $120,080 | $127,470 | $45,180 | $215,730 | 230 |
| Iowa | $119,990 | $125,530 | $77,000 | $178,520 | 460 |
| Oregon | $119,980 | $122,340 | $77,990 | $163,660 | 560 |
| South Dakota | $118,980 | $119,420 | $83,740 | $170,590 | 200 |
| Nebraska | $116,850 | $136,810 | $64,550 | $191,760 | 370 |
| Missouri | $113,030 | $121,680 | $59,990 | $166,240 | 660 |
| Tennessee | $110,660 | $125,970 | $55,510 | $174,710 | 590 |
| Montana | $108,600 | $114,630 | $57,920 | $166,440 | 150 |
| Mississippi | $107,600 | $127,920 | $58,860 | $227,540 | 250 |
| Arkansas | $99,970 | $124,990 | $56,030 | $217,800 | 350 |
| Oklahoma | $98,890 | $105,920 | $42,460 | $171,210 | 580 |
| Wyoming | $88,410 | $120,880 | $26,550 | N/A | 90 |
| Idaho | $66,880 | $88,350 | $37,930 | $172,300 | 270 |
Data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024. Sorted by median salary (highest to lowest). Entry Level = 10th percentile, Top Earners = 90th percentile.
Optometrists Salary FAQs
Which state pays Optometristss the most?
Alaska pays the highest median salary for Optometristss at $165,830 per year, according to 2024 BLS data. The top 5 highest paying states are: Alaska ($165,830), New York ($163,040), Maryland ($157,830), Washington ($157,650), New Jersey ($156,000).
What is the average Optometrists salary nationally?
The average median Optometrists salary across all 49 states is $131,161 per year. The salary ranges from $66,880 in Idaho to $165,830 in Alaska — a difference of $98,950.
Which state pays Optometristss the least?
Idaho has the lowest median Optometrists salary at $66,880 per year. However, cost of living in Idaho may be lower, so purchasing power could be comparable.