Image via Unsplash.com/Josh Appel
Here’s some good news for optometrists: Currently, O.D.s are in high demand, and will continue to be in high demand as the need to care for an aging population continues to grow. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), optometrist jobs are projected to grow by 10 percent from 2018 to 2028 -- which will translate to about 4,000 new job openings. And if that's not enough, the U.S. News & World Report Best Jobs of 2020 rankings listed optometry as one of the top 15 best healthcare jobs in the U.S. (#11) and one of the top 20 best jobs overall.
That’s all great information to have, but what you really want to know is what your earning potential could be, right?
Well, your actual salary will depend on a number of different factors, including:
- Where You Live
- Your Years of Experience
- Your Particular Work Setting (e.g., corporate optometry, private practice)
- Whether You’re Employed or Self-Employed
To give you a clearer picture of what your earning potential could be in this field, we’ve outlined some of the most important salary-related information you should consider as you plan out your career.
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What’s the Typical Optometrist Starting Salary?
Entry-level O.D.s earn about $99,000 on average, according to PayScale.com. However, starting salaries will naturally vary by location and industry.
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How Much Does an Optometrist Make an Hour?
Data from the BLS shows that the average hourly wage for an optometrist is $57.68, and the median hourly rate is $53.75, as of May 2018.
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How Much Does an Optometrist Make a Year?
According to the BLS, most optometrists earn between $57,480 and $119,980 per year. You can potentially earn more as a self-employed O.D., but as an independent contractor, you’re responsible for paying for your own social security and Medicare taxes, a malpractice insurance policy, and health insurance.
When determining how much you could expect to make, it’s important to consider both average (or “mean”) and median salary figures. That’s because averages can be significantly impacted by “outliers”; in this case, the outliers would be a few optometrists whose salaries are drastically higher or lower than the rest of their peers. On the other hand, the median is the number that’s right smack in the middle of a range of values -- in this case, that means that half of all optometrists make more than that number, and half make less. For this reason, median salary figures can help give you a much more realistic idea of what your earning potential could be. Let’s take a look at the data below.
Average Optometrist Annual Salary
The average salary for an optometrist is $119,980 a year. Optometrists who work in outpatient care centers and physician’s offices typically earn the highest salaries: $138,660 and $137,080, respectively. According to Indeed.com, O.D.s employed by Walmart earn $121,424 per year, on average.
Median Optometrist Annual Salary
The median salary for an optometrist is $111,790 a year, which means that half of optometrists in the U.S. earn more than this amount, and half earn less. The top and bottom percentiles earn $57,480 and $188,160, respectively.
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The 5 Work Settings Where Optometrists Can Make the Most Money
There are a number of different factors that can affect your salary as an optometrist. One, in particular, is the type of work you’re doing. According to BLS data, here are the top five work settings that offer optometrists the highest annual salaries.
The 5 Highest-Paying States for Optometrists
| Rank | Work Setting | Average Hourly Rate for Optometrists | Average Annual Salary for Optometrists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Outpatient Care Centers | $66.67 | $138,660 |
| 2 | Offices of Physicians | $65.90 | $137,080 |
| 3 | Management of Companies & Enterprises | $60.67 | $126,180 |
| 4 | Health & Personal Care Stores | $57.09 | $118,740 |
| 5 | General Medical & Surgical Hospitals | $56.10 | $116,680 |
Source: BLS, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2018
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How Much Do Optometrists Make in Each State?
Another factor that can significantly influence an optometrist’s salary is where they live. Typically, states that have a higher cost of living, as well as higher demand for the particular profession, tend to offer higher salaries. This rule appears to hold true for the OT field as well. Here’s a list of the five top-paying states for optometrists.
The 5 Highest-Paying States for Optometrists
| Rank | State | Average Hourly Rate for Optometrists | Average Annual Salary for Optometrists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arkansas | $88.06 | $183,151 |
| 2 | North Dakota | $84.18 | $175,090 |
| 3 | Vermont | $82.00 | $170,550 |
| 4 | Alaska | $79.64 | $165,640 |
| 5 | South Carolina | $68.41 | $142,290 |
Didn’t see your state on that list? Here’s a table with the full set of BLS data on optometrist salaries by state and includes figures for the District of Columbia as well:
How Much Optometrists Make by State
| State | Average Hourly Rate for Optometrists | Average Annual Salary for Optometrists |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $54.84 | $114,070 |
| Alaska | $79.64 | $165,640 |
| Arizona | $60.06 | $124,920 |
| Arkansas | $88.06 | $183,151 |
| California | $56.34 | $117,180 |
| Colorado | $63.47 | $132,030 |
| Connecticut | $66.42 | $138,140 |
| Delaware | $55.87 | $116,210 |
| District of Columbia | $43.34 | $90,140 |
| Florida | $49.07 | $102,060 |
| Georgia | $50.47 | $104,970 |
| Hawaii | $56.40 | $117,310 |
| Idaho | $46.19 | $96,070 |
| Illinois | $58.47 | $121,610 |
| Indiana | $54.75 | $113,880 |
| Iowa | $62.58 | $130,160 |
| Kansas | $56.65 | $117,840 |
| Kentucky | $55.07 | $114,550 |
| Louisiana | $50.17 | $104,360 |
| Maine | $65.63 | $136,510 |
| Maryland | $62.02 | $129,000 |
| Massachusetts | $68.22 | $141,890 |
| Michigan | $54.06 | $112,440 |
| Minnesota | $64.55 | $134,270 |
| Mississippi | $64.12 | $133,370 |
| Missouri | $54.86 | $114,110 |
| Montana | $53.06 | $110,370 |
| Nebraska | $50.00 | $104,010 |
| Nevada | $61.51 | $127,940 |
| New Hampshire | $63.07 | $131,180 |
| New Jersey | $55.11 | $114,630 |
| New Mexico | $41.76 | $86,870 |
| New York | $60.01 | $124,820 |
| North Carolina | $65.51 | $136,260 |
| North Dakota | $84.18 | $175,090 |
| Ohio | $63.65 | $132,400 |
| Oklahoma | $52.55 | $109,300 |
| Oregon | $47.87 | $99,560 |
| Pennsylvania | $57.61 | $119,820 |
| Rhode Island | $50.15 | $104,320 |
| South Carolina | $68.41 | $142,290 |
| South Dakota | $46.41 | $96,540 |
| Tennessee | $55.75 | $115,960 |
| Texas | $59.58 | $123,930 |
| Utah | $35.81 | $74,490 |
| Vermont | $82.00 | $170,550 |
| Virginia | $62.02 | $129,010 |
| Washington | $57.62 | $119,860 |
| West Virginia | $56.86 | $118,270 |
| Wisconsin | $58.80 | $122,310 |
| Wyoming | $65.01 | $135,220 |
Source: BLS, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2018
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Optometrist vs. Ophthalmologist vs. Optician: What’s the Difference?
The Difference Between Optometrists, Ophthalmologists, & Opticians
| Optometrist | Ophthalmologist | Optician | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Job Duties | Vision care and eye services | Medical and surgical eye care | Vision care and eye care services |
| Education Requirements | 3+ years of college, followed by 4 years of optometry school | 4 years of college education, followed by at least 8 years of additional medical training | 1-2 years of post-secondary education |
| Degree | Doctoral degree (Doctor of Optometry - "O.D.") | Doctoral degree (Doctor of Medicine - "M.D." or Doctor of Osteopathy - "D.O.") | Post-secondary certificate or associate degree |
| Average Hourly Wages | $57.581 [1] | $115.00 [2] | $19.20 |
| Average Annual Salary | $119,980 [1] | $220,235 [2] | $39,930 |
[1] Source: BLS.gov, May 2018
[2] Source: PayScale.com, August 2019
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How Do You Become an Optometrist?
To become an optometrist, you must complete an O.D. degree program. However, before you can apply to one, you must complete at least three years of college education and pass the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT). O.D. programs typically require previous undergraduate coursework in subjects like biology, chemistry, physics, English, and math.
Graduates of optometry school are required to become licensed in the state(s) where they wish to practice, as well as complete the National Board of Examiners in Optometry Exam. Depending on your state, additional exams, continuing education, and periodic license renewal may be required. O.D.s may also choose to become board-certified by the American Board of Optometry.
How Long Does It Take to Become an Optometrist?
Optometrists must complete at least three years of post-secondary education and four years of optometry school. Some O.D.s also complete a one-year residency program after optometry school in a certain area of specialization, such as pediatric optometry, ocular disease and family practice.
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Final Thoughts
While all of this data can seem like a lot to digest, a big takeaway is that optometrists earn about $120,000 per year -- often earning more in outpatient care centers -- and have high job satisfaction overall. The U.S. News and World Report adds that this is a job with low stress, a good work-life balance, and a lot of upward mobility.