Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
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By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Optometrists (SOC 29-1041) employed 42,790 people in May 2025. The median pay is $136,570 a year ($65.66 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $74,870 and the highest-paid 10% more than $202,180. BLS projects its employment to change by +9.5% between 2025 and 2035 (about 2,000 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: Doctoral or professional degree.
Highest median pay: Alaska ($170,310), Maryland ($165,840), North Carolina ($161,560). Most jobs: California (6,890), Texas (4,110), New York (2,390).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,870 | $36.00 |
| 25th percentile | $109,400 | $52.60 |
| Median | $136,570 | $65.66 |
| Mean | $141,550 | $68.05 |
| 75th percentile | $165,120 | $79.38 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $202,180 | $97.20 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 45,100 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 49,400 |
| Change in jobs | 4,300 |
| Percent change | +9.5% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 2,000 |
| Self-employed share | 5.0% |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 460 | 0.78 | $145,090 | $56,740 | $196,600 | +6% | 9% |
| Alaska | 60 | 0.67 | $170,310 | $98,530 | $218,180 | +25% | 10% |
| Arizona | 1,080 | 1.21 | $122,250 | $99,570 | $171,490 | -10% | 16% |
| Arkansas | 320 | 0.90 | $124,470 | $57,960 | $181,520 | -9% | 9% |
| California | 6,890 | 1.37 | $136,300 | $99,890 | $213,710 | -0% | 19% |
| Colorado | 880 | 1.12 | $152,000 | $65,910 | $212,120 | +11% | 14% |
| Connecticut | 490 | 1.06 | $150,340 | $99,200 | $214,040 | +10% | 12% |
| Delaware | 190 | 1.39 | $161,270 | $77,980 | $188,490 | +18% | 11% |
| District of Columbia | 50 | 0.26 | $134,840 | $102,570 | $207,570 | -1% | 17% |
| Florida | 2,350 | 0.86 | $151,670 | $62,490 | $196,210 | +11% | 14% |
| Georgia | 870 | 0.65 | $128,830 | $51,030 | $189,610 | -6% | 14% |
| Hawaii | 230 | 1.32 | $154,620 | $107,090 | $205,390 | +13% | 15% |
| Idaho | 160 | 0.68 | $103,390 | $52,000 | $189,570 | -24% | 16% |
| Illinois | 1,540 | 0.92 | $145,620 | $93,350 | $190,620 | +7% | 11% |
| Indiana | 1,040 | 1.18 | $135,500 | $76,860 | $193,270 | -1% | 10% |
| Iowa | 450 | 1.05 | $125,380 | $73,660 | $175,460 | -8% | 9% |
| Kansas | 660 | 1.66 | $138,580 | $85,010 | $192,720 | +1% | 9% |
| Kentucky | 430 | 0.79 | $128,860 | $82,240 | $254,630 | -6% | 9% |
| Louisiana | 250 | 0.47 | $118,060 | $45,420 | $183,670 | -14% | 11% |
| Maine | 180 | 1.02 | $154,110 | $102,600 | $241,200 | +13% | 9% |
| Maryland | 780 | 1.02 | $165,840 | $50,560 | $215,420 | +21% | 12% |
| Massachusetts | 950 | 0.95 | $151,730 | $95,780 | $196,470 | +11% | 15% |
| Michigan | 1,410 | 1.16 | $135,650 | $98,110 | $213,850 | -1% | 10% |
| Minnesota | 710 | 0.88 | $158,700 | $96,670 | $206,960 | +16% | 10% |
| Mississippi | 240 | 0.74 | $108,070 | $63,470 | $215,640 | -21% | 11% |
| Missouri | 630 | 0.78 | $133,810 | $64,610 | $175,270 | -2% | 10% |
| Montana | 140 | 1.02 | $104,280 | $58,450 | $163,030 | -24% | 14% |
| Nebraska | 340 | 1.20 | $125,040 | $65,170 | $205,450 | -8% | 11% |
| Nevada | 430 | 1.00 | $135,650 | $74,530 | $181,520 | -1% | 15% |
| New Hampshire | 210 | 1.12 | $125,560 | $76,360 | $205,560 | -8% | 15% |
| New Jersey | 1,380 | 1.17 | $159,040 | $104,730 | $232,960 | +16% | 14% |
| New Mexico | 130 | 0.53 | $144,660 | $88,160 | $202,980 | +6% | 9% |
| New York | 2,390 | 0.90 | $161,140 | $95,460 | $203,040 | +18% | 12% |
| North Carolina | 1,140 | 0.84 | $161,560 | $94,320 | $215,340 | +18% | 10% |
| North Dakota | 140 | 1.18 | $132,110 | $74,610 | $178,900 | -3% | 9% |
| Ohio | 1,300 | 0.85 | $134,850 | $63,650 | $190,630 | -1% | 10% |
| Oklahoma | 570 | 1.21 | $97,350 | $59,990 | $174,620 | -29% | 13% |
| Oregon | 560 | 1.04 | $132,020 | $83,830 | $161,480 | -3% | 15% |
| Pennsylvania | 1,720 | 1.03 | $135,400 | $92,970 | $173,380 | -1% | 11% |
| Rhode Island | 250 | 1.82 | $134,520 | $71,670 | $215,640 | -2% | 13% |
| South Carolina | 480 | 0.76 | $145,950 | $51,740 | $172,060 | +7% | 10% |
| South Dakota | 190 | 1.50 | $102,320 | $90,560 | $174,920 | -25% | 12% |
| Tennessee | 660 | 0.73 | $134,170 | $47,630 | $167,420 | -2% | 11% |
| Texas | 4,110 | 1.06 | $126,000 | $54,180 | $164,420 | -8% | 14% |
| Utah | 380 | 0.79 | $119,070 | $44,470 | $172,480 | -13% | 16% |
| Vermont | 90 | 1.12 | $137,290 | $60,290 | $194,190 | +1% | 12% |
| Virginia | 1,110 | 0.98 | $131,570 | $62,430 | $235,980 | -4% | 15% |
| Washington | 760 | 0.78 | $157,560 | $103,880 | $217,900 | +15% | 14% |
| West Virginia | 150 | 0.80 | $118,010 | $69,830 | $198,570 | -14% | 9% |
| Wisconsin | 790 | 0.97 | $139,720 | $75,390 | $203,670 | +2% | 10% |
| Wyoming | 90 | 1.19 | $111,400 | $51,580 | $178,860 | -18% | 11% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 420 | $167,810 | $121,350 | $227,540 | 0.74 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 2,580 | $161,030 | $104,730 | $203,050 | 0.99 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 470 | $159,790 | $95,640 | $196,290 | 0.87 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 470 | $158,130 | $79,670 | $214,620 | 1.07 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 300 | $156,990 | $66,760 | $249,510 | 0.98 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 710 | $154,970 | $95,780 | $199,060 | 0.96 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 770 | $154,690 | $54,120 | $224,040 | 0.89 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 890 | $153,980 | $91,580 | $195,650 | 1.11 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 1,160 | $145,630 | $93,350 | $186,250 | 0.93 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 330 | $144,270 | $49,260 | $173,240 | 0.89 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 610 | $142,690 | $117,240 | $213,850 | 1.16 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 1,180 | $142,580 | $107,780 | $221,350 | 1.81 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 870 | $140,790 | $73,320 | $166,350 | 0.78 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 310 | $139,910 | $77,210 | $215,640 | 1.60 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 510 | $139,020 | $105,860 | $219,070 | 1.71 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 2,360 | $138,940 | $73,540 | $209,530 | 1.37 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 450 | $138,580 | $93,640 | $176,030 | 1.48 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 350 | $138,130 | $83,660 | $206,950 | 0.87 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | 340 | $137,590 | $71,100 | $215,290 | 1.11 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 350 | $136,250 | $89,700 | $166,870 | 1.05 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | 310 | $135,460 | $74,290 | $176,740 | 0.99 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 580 | $135,330 | $134,370 | $207,720 | 1.87 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 340 | $135,090 | $71,500 | $193,430 | 0.93 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 540 | $133,280 | $102,250 | $208,180 | 1.26 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 350 | $130,460 | $56,310 | $182,410 | 1.00 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 510 | $129,990 | $104,170 | $206,330 | 1.09 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 340 | $129,900 | $94,760 | $164,650 | 1.11 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 450 | $128,830 | $51,030 | $189,610 | 0.57 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 820 | $125,530 | $58,410 | $194,700 | 1.05 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 1,250 | $124,640 | $96,020 | $162,010 | 1.38 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 860 | $115,960 | $99,570 | $172,160 | 1.31 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 730 | $111,780 | $45,190 | $158,020 | 2.36 |
The median is $136,570 a year ($65.66 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $74,870 and the highest-paid tenth over $202,180 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
42,790 in May 2025, and BLS projects +9.5% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: Doctoral or professional degree (BLS).
Alaska, with a median of $170,310 (among states with published figures).