Optometrists are healthcare professionals who specialize in assessing, diagnosing, and treating various eye conditions and vision problems.
This article will explore the best states for optometrists, based on the average annual salary for the occupation.
- 1. Alaska ($180,470)
- 2. North Carolina ($156,110)
- 3. Kentucky ($152,100)
- 4. Massachusetts ($150,500)
- 5. Texas ($145,610)
- 6. Connecticut ($144,550)
- 7. Maryland ($143,690)
- 8. New Jersey ($143,460)
- 9. Minnesota ($142,050)
- 10. Louisiana ($141,990)
- Conclusion
Key Takeaways
- The highest-paid optometrists are in Alaska, where they earn an average of $180,470 per year.
- The lowest-paid optometrists are in Rhode Island, where they earn an average of $-1 per year.
- The U.S. average salary for optometrists is $118,549 per year.
1. Alaska ($180,470)
Optometrists in Alaska earn the highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
optometrists in Alaska is
$180,470, which is +52% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $180,470 |
| 10th Percentile | $62,400 |
| 25th Percentile | $122,850 |
| 75th Percentile | $-3 |
| 90th Percentile | $-3 |
2. North Carolina ($156,110)
Optometrists in North Carolina earn the 2nd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
optometrists in North Carolina is
$156,110, which is +32% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $156,110 |
| 10th Percentile | $78,450 |
| 25th Percentile | $108,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $164,710 |
| 90th Percentile | $233,730 |
3. Kentucky ($152,100)
Optometrists in Kentucky earn the 3rd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
optometrists in Kentucky is
$152,100, which is +28% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $152,100 |
| 10th Percentile | $65,390 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,300 |
| 75th Percentile | $168,650 |
| 90th Percentile | $-3 |
4. Massachusetts ($150,500)
Optometrists in Massachusetts earn the 4th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
optometrists in Massachusetts is
$150,500, which is +27% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $150,500 |
| 10th Percentile | $82,640 |
| 25th Percentile | $118,050 |
| 75th Percentile | $161,230 |
| 90th Percentile | $175,860 |
5. Texas ($145,610)
Optometrists in Texas earn the 5th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
optometrists in Texas is
$145,610, which is +23% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $145,610 |
| 10th Percentile | $57,750 |
| 25th Percentile | $86,870 |
| 75th Percentile | $152,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $197,600 |
6. Connecticut ($144,550)
Optometrists in Connecticut earn the 6th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
optometrists in Connecticut is
$144,550, which is +22% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $144,550 |
| 10th Percentile | $40,500 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,250 |
| 75th Percentile | $178,440 |
| 90th Percentile | $-3 |
7. Maryland ($143,690)
Optometrists in Maryland earn the 7th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
optometrists in Maryland is
$143,690, which is +21% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $143,690 |
| 10th Percentile | $81,940 |
| 25th Percentile | $107,230 |
| 75th Percentile | $160,020 |
| 90th Percentile | $193,840 |
8. New Jersey ($143,460)
Optometrists in New Jersey earn the 8th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
optometrists in New Jersey is
$143,460, which is +21% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $143,460 |
| 10th Percentile | $99,990 |
| 25th Percentile | $110,510 |
| 75th Percentile | $170,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $174,370 |
9. Minnesota ($142,050)
Optometrists in Minnesota earn the 9th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
optometrists in Minnesota is
$142,050, which is +20% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $142,050 |
| 10th Percentile | $94,590 |
| 25th Percentile | $119,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $163,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $168,330 |
10. Louisiana ($141,990)
Optometrists in Louisiana earn the 10th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
optometrists in Louisiana is
$141,990, which is +20% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $141,990 |
| 10th Percentile | $85,620 |
| 25th Percentile | $103,180 |
| 75th Percentile | $154,660 |
| 90th Percentile | $235,680 |
Conclusion
The highest-paid optometrists are in Alaska, where they earn an average of $180,470 per year. The lowest-paid optometrists are in Rhode Island, where they earn an average of $-1 per year. The U.S. average salary for optometrists is $118,549 per year and there are 40,726 jobs in the field.
