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Optometrists Employment & Job Outlook in Kentucky (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

Kentucky employs 430 Optometrists professionals, below the national average concentration.

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • Kentucky employment outlook • Updated 2026-05-19

Total Employed
430
professionals
Jobs per 1,000
0.43
workers
Location Quotient
0.51
vs national avg
Average Salary
$142K
annual

Below Average Demand in Kentucky

The location quotient (LQ) of 0.51 indicates that Kentucky has a below-average concentration of Optometrists professionals. This may suggest fewer local opportunities compared to other states, though national trends should also be considered.

Note: Location Quotient (LQ) is the ratio of the percentage of workers in an occupation in a given area to the percentage in that occupation nationwide. An LQ > 1.0 means above-average concentration; < 1.0 means below-average.

Kentucky vs National Average

Total Employed
430
National: 42,810
1.0% of national
Jobs per 1,000
0.43
National: 0.84
-48.8%
Average Salary
$142K
National: $138K
+2.8%

Top States by Optometrists Employment

#1
6,890
6,890
employed
#2
4,110
4,110
employed
#3
2,390
2,390
employed
#4
2,350
2,350
employed
#5
1,720
1,720
employed
#6
1,540
1,540
employed
#7
1,410
1,410
employed
#8
1,380
1,380
employed
#9
1,300
1,300
employed
#10
1,140
1,140
employed

What Does a Optometrists Earn in Kentucky?

The average annual salary for a Optometrists in Kentucky is $142,710. For a detailed breakdown by percentile, entry-level, median, and senior salaries, see the comprehensive salary guide below.

View full salary breakdown →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Optometrists jobs are there in Kentucky?

Kentucky employs approximately 430 Optometrists professionals (2025 BLS data). This ranks Kentucky for this occupation nationwide.

Is Optometrists in demand in Kentucky?

Kentucky has average or below-average concentration of Optometrists jobs (LQ: 0.51). A Location Quotient above 1.0 indicates higher-than-average demand.

What is the average salary for Optometrists in Kentucky?

The average (mean) salary for Optometrists in Kentucky is $142710/year. See our detailed salary page for percentile breakdowns.

What is a Location Quotient (LQ)?

Location Quotient measures how concentrated an occupation is in a state compared to the national average. LQ > 1.0 means the state has more of that job proportionally. LQ > 1.2 indicates strong demand.

Which states employ the most Optometrists professionals?

The top state for Optometrists employment is California with 6,890 jobs.

Find Your Next Opportunity

Related Pages

Top Cities in Kentucky

Explore cost of living, median household income, and demographics for Kentucky's largest cities.

Top Colleges in Kentucky

Compare tuition, admissions, and graduate outcomes at Kentucky's leading institutions.

Optometrists Employment in Other States

Compare Optometrists labor-market data (jobs, location quotient, salary) across the top-employing states.

All Optometrists & Kentucky Resources

Drill deeper into Optometrists pay, hiring, and education data for Kentucky.

Data Source

Employment and location quotient data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025. This data reflects total employment, jobs per 1,000 workers, location quotient, and average salary for Optometrists (SOC 291041) in Kentucky.

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