Optometrists Salary in Houston, TX

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

Median annual salary $124,780 -7.5% vs national
Median hourly $59.99
10th percentile $86,500
90th percentile $169,260
Employed locally 930
National median $134,830

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Type a city below to see how Houston, TX stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Optometrists
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Houston, TX
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $86,500
    25th
    $99,990
    50th (median)
    $124,780
    75th
    $161,340
    90th
    $169,260

    Houston economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,458 2023 • Census ACS
    Optometrists salary vs area income 155% Median Optometrists salary is 55% 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
    Killeen-Temple, TX $160,460
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $140,880
    McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX $137,660
    Lubbock, TX $137,390
    El Paso, TX $134,300
    Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $131,810

    Related occupations in Houston, TX

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $97,810
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $61,700
    Pharmacy Technicians $44,940
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $52,590
    Physicians, All Other $292,490
    Pharmacists $139,010

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Optometrists make per hour in Houston?

    The median hourly wage for Optometrists in Houston, TX is $59.99, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $77.89 or more per hour.

    Is Houston above or below average for Optometrists salaries?

    The median Optometrists salary in Houston, TX is 7.5% 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 Houston?

    Entry-level Optometrists (10th percentile) earn around $86,500 per year in Houston, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $99,990.