How much does an Optometrist make?

Updated Sep 15, 2022

Experience

Industry

$187,063 / yrTotal Pay
$140,555 / yrBase Pay
$46,508 / yrAdditional Pay

$187,063

 / yr
$113K$314K
Most Likely Range
Possible Range

The estimated total pay for a Optometrist is $187,063 per year in the United States area, with an average salary of $140,555 per year. These numbers represent the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. The estimated additional pay is $46,508 per year. Additional pay could include cash bonus, commission, tips, and profit sharing. The "Most Likely Range" represents values that exist within the 25th and 75th percentile of all pay data available for this role.

How accurate does $187,063 look to you?

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Top Paying Companies

For an Optometrist in United States

Below is the total pay for the top 10 highest paying companies for an Optometrist in United States. Employers include Walmart, Costco Wholesale and Doctor's Exchange of Arizona (Phoenix).

1
Walmart
Walmart
$271,932/yr
15K open jobs
3
$228,158/yr
See pay for all companies for an Optometrist in United StatesView data as table

What are total pay estimates for an Optometrist at different companies?

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Total Pay Range
National Vision
3.7
OptometristSee 160 salaries from all locations

$204,029

 / yr

$156,960

 / yr

$75

 / hr

$181,413

 / yr

$204,623

 / yr

$175,741

 / yr

$208,120

 / yr

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$91

 / hr

$177,578

 / yr

$175,730

 / yr

$140,047

 / yr

$195,809

 / yr

$147,146

 / yr

$271,932

 / yr

$196,177

 / yr

$164,799

 / yr

$167,662

 / yr

$187,027

 / yr

$200,741

 / yr

$192,603

 / yr
Download as data table
Viewing 1 - 20 of 660

Top Paying Industries

For an Optometrist in United States

The top 5 paying industries for an Optometrist in United States are Human Resources & Staffing with a median total pay of $208,120, Retail & Wholesale with a median total pay of $204,326, Manufacturing with a median total pay of $193,854, Healthcare with a median total pay of $180,350, and Media & Communication with a median total pay of $167,662.

IndustryTotal PayTotal Pay Insight
  • Human Resources & StaffingHuman Resources & Staffing$208,120

    10% Higher than other industries

  • Retail & WholesaleRetail & Wholesale$204,326

    8% Higher than other industries

  • ManufacturingManufacturing$193,854

    3% Higher than other industries

  • HealthcareHealthcare$180,350

    4% Lower than other industries

  • Media & CommunicationMedia & Communication$167,662

    12% Lower than other industries

Human Resources & Staffing

The top paying company in Human Resources & Staffing for Optometrist is ETS Recruit.

ETS RecruitETS Recruit$208,120/yr

Glassdoor Economist Pay Overview

What is the pay outlook for Healthcare?

Healthcare jobs, already in high demand, are expected to grow extensively to meet the increased need from an aging population. Careers in this industry are diverse, though most require additional training and pay above-average wages. Despite fewer opportunities for remote work than other professions, healthcare jobs can be found nearly everywhere, including both rural and urban settings. While careers in healthcare offer high job security, they also often involve long hours, including evening and weekend shift work, particularly for those just starting their career.

Recent Salaries Shared

For optometrist

Salary Share
Anonymously share your pay to help the community

Job Title

Location

Total Pay

Base Pay | Additional Pay

Total Years of Experience

Years at Recent Employer

Submitted

Date or Time

Optometrist

United States of America

 | 4-6 years

$145,000

/yr

$135K | $10K

Submitted Yesterday

4-6 years
Yesterday
Optometrist

United States of America

 | 1-3 years

$150,000

/yr

Submitted Yesterday

1-3 years
Yesterday
Optometrist

United States of America

 | 10-14 years

$115,000

/yr

Submitted Yesterday

10-14 years
Yesterday
Optometrist

United States of America

 | 1-3 years

$150,000

/yr

Submitted 2 days ago

1-3 years
2 days ago
Optometrist

United States of America

 | 1-3 years

$159,000

/yr

$149K | $10K

Submitted 2 days ago

1-3 years
2 days ago
Optometrist

United States of America

 | 1-3 years

$190,000

/yr

$170K | $20K

Submitted 2 days ago

1-3 years
2 days ago
Optometrist

United States of America

 | 1-3 years

$6,063

/hr

$63 | $6K

Submitted 2 days ago

1-3 years
2 days ago
Optometrist

United States of America

 | 4-6 years

$125,000

/yr

Submitted 2 days ago

4-6 years
2 days ago
Optometrist

United States of America

 | 1-3 years

$70

/hr

Submitted 3 days ago

1-3 years
3 days ago

Optometrist pay FAQ

The national average salary for an Optometrist is $140,555 per year in United States. Filter by location to see an Optometrist salaries in your area. Salaries estimates are based on 1737 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by an Optometrist employees.

The highest salary for an Optometrist in United States is $229,111 per year.

The lowest salary for an Optometrist in United States is $86,227 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming an Optometrist or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of an Optometrist.

Optometrists receive pay similar to the pay of dentists and podiatrists, and generally above the pay of audiologists, chiropractors and opticians. Growing demand, driven by an aging and chronically ill American population, will likely lead to an increase in pay over the next decade. Successful optometrists who own their own practice can increase their pay by building a strong reputation and gaining new clients.

Powered by Glassdoor Economic Research

Join thousands of real professionals anonymously talking about salaries in their industry

Around 73% of the optometrists who report their salaries on Glassdoor are happy with their income. Roles offering additional bonuses, profit sharing, and incentives totaling around $46,508.04 can constitute a decent optometrist salary. Between four and seven years of experience can also increase your earning power.

Join thousands of real professionals anonymously talking about salaries in their industry

According to Glassdoor's data, most optometrist salaries are between $113,201.86 and $314,220.54, with the average practitioner on an income of $140,554.56. However, the average total income rises to around $187,062.60 when you add performance bonuses and other perks. Your salary could be even higher as a senior optometrist. Discover how your experience level affects your expected income by exploring optometrist career paths.

Learn more about negotiating salaries from thousands of other real professionals

Most optometrists have a bachelor's degree, but completing a graduate qualification in optometric medicine could help you acquire desirable skills and progress faster up the salary ladder. Various job-related related master's subjects are available, including Applied Optometry, Vision Sciences, and Visual Rehabilitation.

Completing the American Board of Optometry (ABO) Certification can also help you demonstrate advanced skills and make it easier to advance your career. Some organizations only employ optometrists with ABO credentials, so obtaining your certification can open up a broader range of career opportunities. Alternatively, you could consider completing the Paraoptometric Certification through the American Optometric Association (AOA).

Just landed your dream optometrist job? It's time to talk salary. Going into a negotiation with a clear understanding of what most optometrists earn at your seniority level can help you recognize a good deal.

Unhappy with the offer on the table? Point out ways in which your skills have benefited previous employers, ideally with measurable outcomes. For example, you could detail how your input increased sales, patient satisfaction, or community awareness at your last practice. Focusing on your most impressive performance metrics can also help you highlight your value to an existing employer and negotiate a raise.