Optometrists Salary by State
The national median pay for optometrists is $136,570 a year. By state, it ranges from $97,350 in Oklahoma to $170,310 in Alaska.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $74,870
- 25th percentile
- $109,400
- Median
- $136,570
- 75th percentile
- $165,120
- Top 10%
- $202,180
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 42,790 jobs.
Median pay in 50 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $170,310 | +25% | $98,530 | $218,180 | 60 |
| 2 | Maryland | $165,840 | +21% | $50,560 | $215,420 | 780 |
| 3 | North Carolina | $161,560 | +18% | $94,320 | $215,340 | 1,140 |
| 4 | Delaware | $161,270 | +18% | $77,980 | $188,490 | 190 |
| 5 | New York | $161,140 | +18% | $95,460 | $203,040 | 2,390 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $159,040 | +16% | $104,730 | $232,960 | 1,380 |
| 7 | Minnesota | $158,700 | +16% | $96,670 | $206,960 | 710 |
| 8 | Washington | $157,560 | +15% | $103,880 | $217,900 | 760 |
| 9 | Hawaii | $154,620 | +13% | $107,090 | $205,390 | 230 |
| 10 | Maine | $154,110 | +13% | $102,600 | $241,200 | 180 |
| 11 | Colorado | $152,000 | +11% | $65,910 | $212,120 | 880 |
| 12 | Massachusetts | $151,730 | +11% | $95,780 | $196,470 | 950 |
| 13 | Florida | $151,670 | +11% | $62,490 | $196,210 | 2,350 |
| 14 | Connecticut | $150,340 | +10% | $99,200 | $214,040 | 490 |
| 15 | South Carolina | $145,950 | +7% | $51,740 | $172,060 | 480 |
| 16 | Illinois | $145,620 | +7% | $93,350 | $190,620 | 1,540 |
| 17 | Alabama | $145,090 | +6% | $56,740 | $196,600 | 460 |
| 18 | New Mexico | $144,660 | +6% | $88,160 | $202,980 | 130 |
| 19 | Wisconsin | $139,720 | +2% | $75,390 | $203,670 | 790 |
| 20 | Kansas | $138,580 | +1% | $85,010 | $192,720 | 660 |
| 21 | Vermont | $137,290 | +1% | $60,290 | $194,190 | 90 |
| 22 | California | $136,300 | 0% | $99,890 | $213,710 | 6,890 |
| 23 | Michigan | $135,650 | −1% | $98,110 | $213,850 | 1,410 |
| 24 | Nevada | $135,650 | −1% | $74,530 | $181,520 | 430 |
| 25 | Indiana | $135,500 | −1% | $76,860 | $193,270 | 1,040 |
| 26 | Pennsylvania | $135,400 | −1% | $92,970 | $173,380 | 1,720 |
| 27 | Ohio | $134,850 | −1% | $63,650 | $190,630 | 1,300 |
| 28 | District of Columbia | $134,840 | −1% | $102,570 | $207,570 | 50 |
| 29 | Rhode Island | $134,520 | −2% | $71,670 | $215,640 | 250 |
| 30 | Tennessee | $134,170 | −2% | $47,630 | $167,420 | 660 |
| 31 | Missouri | $133,810 | −2% | $64,610 | $175,270 | 630 |
| 32 | North Dakota | $132,110 | −3% | $74,610 | $178,900 | 140 |
| 33 | Oregon | $132,020 | −3% | $83,830 | $161,480 | 560 |
| 34 | Virginia | $131,570 | −4% | $62,430 | $235,980 | 1,110 |
| 35 | Kentucky | $128,860 | −6% | $82,240 | $254,630 | 430 |
| 36 | Georgia | $128,830 | −6% | $51,030 | $189,610 | 870 |
| 37 | Texas | $126,000 | −8% | $54,180 | $164,420 | 4,110 |
| 38 | New Hampshire | $125,560 | −8% | $76,360 | $205,560 | 210 |
| 39 | Iowa | $125,380 | −8% | $73,660 | $175,460 | 450 |
| 40 | Nebraska | $125,040 | −8% | $65,170 | $205,450 | 340 |
| 41 | Arkansas | $124,470 | −9% | $57,960 | $181,520 | 320 |
| 42 | Arizona | $122,250 | −10% | $99,570 | $171,490 | 1,080 |
| 43 | Utah | $119,070 | −13% | $44,470 | $172,480 | 380 |
| 44 | Louisiana | $118,060 | −14% | $45,420 | $183,670 | 250 |
| 45 | West Virginia | $118,010 | −14% | $69,830 | $198,570 | 150 |
| 46 | Wyoming | $111,400 | −18% | $51,580 | $178,860 | 90 |
| 47 | Mississippi | $108,070 | −21% | $63,470 | $215,640 | 240 |
| 48 | Montana | $104,280 | −24% | $58,450 | $163,030 | 140 |
| 49 | Idaho | $103,390 | −24% | $52,000 | $189,570 | 160 |
| 50 | South Dakota | $102,320 | −25% | $90,560 | $174,920 | 190 |
| 51 | Oklahoma | $97,350 | −29% | $59,990 | $174,620 | 570 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Optometrists salary questions
Which state pays optometrists the most?
Alaska, with a median of $170,310 a year (+25% vs. the national median of $136,570). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays optometrists the least?
Oklahoma, with a median of $97,350 a year (−29% vs. national).
Where do most optometrists work?
California has the most jobs, about 6,890, with a median of $136,300.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.