As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Doctor of Optometry in the United States is $135,301. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $107,408 to a high of $146,573, with most professionals earning between $120,701 and $141,201.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $141,201 | $11,767 | $2,715 | $68 |
| Average | $135,301 | $11,275 | $2,602 | $65 |
| 25th Percentile | $120,701 | $10,058 | $2,321 | $58 |
An entry-level Doctor of Optometry with less than 1 year of experience earns about $128,864. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $129,953. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $135,841. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $138,307, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $138,747.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Doctor of Optometry | $128,864 |
| Intermediate Level Doctor of Optometry | $129,953 |
| Senior Level Doctor of Optometry | $135,841 |
| Specialist Level Doctor of Optometry | $138,307 |
| Expert Level Doctor of Optometry | $138,747 |
| Entry Level | 5% |
| Mid Level | 4% |
| Senior Level | 0% |
| Top Level | 2% |
| Experienced | 3% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Doctor of Optometry compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $112,260 in 2023 to approximately $113,619 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Doctor of Optometry salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Doctor of Optometry information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Doctor of Optometry job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Doctor of Optometry and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $135,301 | 73.7% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $10,351 | 5.6% | ||
| 401K/403B | $6,630 | 3.6% | ||
| Disability | $2,165 | 1.2% | ||
| Healthcare | $6,371 | 3.5% | ||
| Pension | $5,683 | 3.1% | ||
| Time Off | $17,173 | 9.3% | ||
| Total Compensation | $183,672 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.9% |
| High School | 3.9% |
| Associates | 1.3% |
| Bachelors | 10.4% |
| Masters | 9.1% |
| Doctorate | 74.5% |
What Am I Worth?
The highest-paying eye care professionals are ophthalmologists, earning between $250,000 and $326,500 annually. Optometrists, on the other hand, have a salary range of $131,201 to $158,401 per year, with a mid-salary of $145,701. Other roles like orthoptists and opticians typically earn less than optometrists.
Optometrists are not medical doctors. They earn a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree after completing three or more years of college followed by four years of optometry school. As for their earnings, optometrists typically have a salary range from $131,201 to $158,401, with a median salary around $145,701.
An optometrist, who holds a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree, is not equivalent to a Medical Doctor (MD). While both are eye care professionals, optometrists focus on vision care and can earn a salary ranging from $131,201 to $158,401, with a median salary of $145,701. In contrast, general ophthalmologists are MDs who can perform surgeries.
Yes, optometrists are in demand in the U.S., with an estimated 43,400 currently practicing. The job market for optometrists is projected to grow by 9.0% from 2022 to 2032. With salaries ranging from a minimum of $131,201 to a maximum of $158,401, this profession offers competitive compensation alongside strong job growth prospects.
Yes, optometry is a doctorate degree. Optometrists, who study and diagnose eye disorders, must complete a rigorous four-year Doctor of Optometry (OD) program that combines extensive classroom instruction with in-clinic training. The salary for optometrists ranges from a minimum of $131,201 to a maximum of $158,401, with a mid-salary of $145,701.
Yes, optometrists in the USA earn the title of Doctor of Optometry (OD) upon completing their program. While they are not medical doctors (MD) or doctors of osteopathy (DO), they hold a doctoral degree and are recognized as eye care professionals. The salary for optometrists typically ranges from a minimum of $131,201 to a maximum of $158,401, with a mid-salary of $145,701.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
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