Optometrists Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $127,140 -5.7% vs national
Median hourly $61.13
10th percentile $77,400
90th percentile $173,310
Employed locally 120
National median $134,830

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Optometrists
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Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $77,400
    25th
    $85,240
    50th (median)
    $127,140
    75th
    $162,520
    90th
    $173,310

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Optometrists salary vs area income 151% Median Optometrists salary is 51% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Optometrists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN $176,930
    Asheville, NC $167,980
    Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area $166,920
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $165,870
    Alaska $165,830
    Reno, NV $165,060

    Nearby metros — Optometrists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $163,320
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $156,610
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $155,200
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $154,700
    District of Columbia $154,300
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $139,550

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $78,970
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $61,120
    Pharmacy Technicians $43,610
    Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other $47,630
    Medical Records Specialists $52,370
    Physical Therapists $98,110

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Optometrists make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Optometrists in Des Moines, IA is $61.13, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $85.73 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Optometrists salaries?

    The median Optometrists salary in Des Moines, IA is 5.7% below the national median of $134,830. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Optometrists in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Optometrists (10th percentile) earn around $77,400 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $85,240.