Optometrist Salary: Pay and Take-Home by State
The typical (median) optometrist in the US earns $65.66 an hour, or $136,570 a year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates for 42,790 jobs (May 2025). The middle half earn between $109,400 and $165,120 a year, and the top 10% earn more than $202,180.
After federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare, the median salary leaves a single filer about $104,612 a year ($8,718 a month) in a state with no income tax. Using each state's own median pay for this job, take-home is highest in Alaska ($126,822 a year) and lowest in Oklahoma ($73,461).
Optometrist pay range
| Pay level | Hourly | Yearly | Take-home a year* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $35.99 | $74,870 | $61,501 |
| 25th percentile | $52.59 | $109,400 | $85,793 |
| Median (half earn more) | $65.66 | $136,570 | $104,612 |
| 75th percentile | $79.39 | $165,120 | $124,125 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $97.20 | $202,180 | $149,456 |
The average (mean) is $141,550 a year ($68.05 an hour), above the median because a minority of high earners pull it up. *Take-home after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare for a single filer in a state with no income tax (2026). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation 29-1041. Source
Optometrist salary by state
The highest median pay for optometrists is in Alaska ($170,310), Maryland ($165,840), North Carolina ($161,550), Delaware ($161,280), New York ($161,140). The lowest is in Oklahoma ($97,340), South Dakota ($102,320), Idaho ($103,400).
The most optometrists work in California (6,890), Texas (4,110), New York (2,390).
After each state's taxes, the most take-home at the local median is in Alaska ($126,822), Washington ($116,773), North Carolina ($115,601), Florida ($114,932), Maryland ($111,701). A state with no income tax can come out ahead of a state that pays more before tax.
Median pay in each state for this job (BLS, May 2025), and take-home at that pay. Take-home is after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and the state's income tax and payroll programs, for a single filer with a 2026 W-4 and no deductions. Local taxes are not included. *District of Columbia: federal taxes only (DC income tax is not modeled yet).
| State | Median hourly | Median yearly | Take-home a year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $69.75 | $145,080 | $104,592 | 460 |
| Alaska | $81.88 | $170,310 | $126,822 | 60 |
| Arizona | $58.78 | $122,260 | $92,386 | 1,080 |
| Arkansas | $59.84 | $124,470 | $91,936 | 320 |
| California | $65.53 | $136,300 | $93,381 | 6,890 |
| Colorado | $73.08 | $152,010 | $108,050 | 880 |
| Connecticut | $72.28 | $150,340 | $105,002 | 490 |
| Delaware | $77.54 | $161,280 | $111,552 | 190 |
| District of Columbia | $64.83 | $134,850 | $103,436* | 50 |
| Florida | $72.92 | $151,670 | $114,932 | 2,350 |
| Georgia | $61.94 | $128,840 | $93,648 | 870 |
| Hawaii | $74.34 | $154,630 | $106,268 | 230 |
| Idaho | $49.71 | $103,400 | $76,944 | 160 |
| Illinois | $70.01 | $145,620 | $103,734 | 1,540 |
| Indiana | $65.14 | $135,490 | $97,189 | 1,040 |
| Iowa | $60.28 | $125,380 | $92,733 | 450 |
| Kansas | $66.63 | $138,590 | $99,058 | 660 |
| Kentucky | $61.95 | $128,860 | $94,949 | 430 |
| Louisiana | $56.76 | $118,060 | $88,635 | 250 |
| Maine | $74.09 | $154,110 | $106,001 | 180 |
| Maryland | $79.73 | $165,840 | $111,701 | 780 |
| Massachusetts | $72.95 | $151,740 | $107,495 | 950 |
| Michigan | $65.21 | $135,640 | $98,462 | 1,410 |
| Minnesota | $76.30 | $158,700 | $108,582 | 710 |
| Mississippi | $51.96 | $108,080 | $81,276 | 240 |
| Missouri | $64.33 | $133,810 | $97,369 | 630 |
| Montana | $50.14 | $104,290 | $77,674 | 140 |
| Nebraska | $60.12 | $125,050 | $91,642 | 340 |
| Nevada | $65.22 | $135,660 | $103,989 | 430 |
| New Hampshire | $60.36 | $125,550 | $97,079 | 210 |
| New Jersey | $76.46 | $159,040 | $109,806 | 1,380 |
| New Mexico | $69.55 | $144,660 | $103,989 | 130 |
| New York | $77.47 | $161,140 | $111,301 | 2,390 |
| North Carolina | $77.67 | $161,550 | $115,601 | 1,140 |
| North Dakota | $63.51 | $132,100 | $100,100 | 140 |
| Ohio | $64.83 | $134,850 | $99,645 | 1,300 |
| Oklahoma | $46.80 | $97,340 | $73,461 | 570 |
| Oregon | $63.47 | $132,020 | $90,059 | 560 |
| Pennsylvania | $65.10 | $135,410 | $99,567 | 1,720 |
| Rhode Island | $64.67 | $134,510 | $96,203 | 250 |
| South Carolina | $70.17 | $145,950 | $103,672 | 480 |
| South Dakota | $49.19 | $102,320 | $80,812 | 190 |
| Tennessee | $64.51 | $134,180 | $102,978 | 660 |
| Texas | $60.58 | $126,010 | $97,394 | 4,110 |
| Utah | $57.25 | $119,080 | $87,299 | 380 |
| Vermont | $66.01 | $137,300 | $98,111 | 90 |
| Virginia | $63.25 | $131,560 | $94,437 | 1,110 |
| Washington | $75.75 | $157,560 | $116,773 | 760 |
| West Virginia | $56.74 | $118,020 | $87,341 | 150 |
| Wisconsin | $67.17 | $139,710 | $99,682 | 790 |
| Wyoming | $53.56 | $111,400 | $87,200 | 90 |
Overtime and pay rules for optometrists
Many optometrists are salaried and exempt from overtime as professional employees, which requires both professional duties and a salary of at least $684 a week (the federal standard salary level). An exempt employee is not owed overtime for extra hours, so there is no overtime to deduct. If you are paid by the hour, overtime rules apply. Source Source At this pay, a traditional 401(k), an HSA and other pre-tax benefits are usually the biggest tax savers.
How the exemptions work across jobs: who gets overtime pay.
Taxes on an optometrist's pay
On the median $136,570, federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare take about 23.4% of pay for a single filer: $21,511 of income tax and $10,448 of Social Security and Medicare a year.
Tax bracket. After the $16,100 standard deduction, taxable income is $120,470, so the top federal rate is 24%. Each extra dollar from a raise or extra shifts is taxed at about 31.65% before state tax: 24% income tax plus 7.65% Social Security and Medicare. Source
401(k). Putting 5% ($6,828 a year) into a traditional 401(k) lowers federal income tax by about $1,639, so it costs about $5,190 of take-home pay.
Self-employed or contract work
BLS pay figures cover employees only; self-employed optometrists are not counted. If you work as a contractor (1099), you pay both halves of Social Security and Medicare (15.3% self-employment tax) and usually make quarterly estimated payments. Use the 1099 Tax Calculator to see what to set aside, and see 1099 vs W-2 take-home pay for how much more a contractor needs to earn.
Jobs with similar pay
| Job | Median yearly | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $140,910 | $67.75 |
| Software Engineer (Developer) | $135,980 | $65.38 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,880 | $65.33 |
| Nurse Midwife | $134,040 | $64.44 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 | $63.61 |
For a full breakdown of a similar wage, see $65 an hour is how much a year.
Optometrist salary questions
How much does an optometrist make?
The median pay is $65.66 an hour, or $136,570 a year (May 2025, Bureau of Labor Statistics). The bottom 10% earn less than $74,870 and the top 10% more than $202,180.
How much does an optometrist make after taxes?
About $104,612 a year, or $4,024 every two weeks, on the median salary for a single filer in a state with no income tax. In Oklahoma, at that state's own median pay, it is about $73,461.
How much does an optometrist make a month?
About $11,381 a month before taxes at the median salary, and roughly $8,718 after federal taxes in a state with no income tax.
Which state pays optometrists the most?
Alaska, with a median of $170,310 a year ($81.88 an hour). Next are Maryland ($165,840) and North Carolina ($161,550). After state taxes, take-home at the local median is highest in Alaska.
How much does an optometrist make an hour?
The median is $65.66 an hour. The middle half earn $52.59 to $79.39, and the top 10% more than $97.20.
Do optometrists get paid overtime?
Many optometrists are salaried and exempt from overtime as professional employees, which requires both professional duties and a salary of at least $684 a week (the federal standard salary level). An exempt employee is not owed overtime for extra hours, so there is no overtime to deduct. If you are paid by the hour, overtime rules apply. At this pay, a traditional 401(k), an HSA and other pre-tax benefits are usually the biggest tax savers.
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All jobs · Hourly to salary chart. BLS data published 2026, reference period May 2025; tax figures checked Oct 26, 2026.