Optometrists Salary in New York, NY-NJ

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

Median annual salary $160,520 +19.1% vs national
Median hourly $77.17
10th percentile $105,100
90th percentile $195,670
Employed locally 2,410
National median $134,830

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Type a city below to see how New York, NY-NJ stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Optometrists
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New York, NY-NJ
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $105,100
    25th
    $145,600
    50th (median)
    $160,520
    75th
    $166,840
    90th
    $195,670

    New York economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $97,334 2023 • Census ACS
    Optometrists salary vs area income 165% Median Optometrists salary is 65% 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
    Syracuse, NY $163,400
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $161,120
    Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY $160,390
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $149,340
    Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $147,380
    Rochester, NY $139,990

    Related occupations in New York, NY-NJ

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $113,490
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $72,800
    Pharmacy Technicians $43,470
    Pharmacists $135,720
    Nurse Practitioners $152,790
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $80,580

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Optometrists make per hour in New York?

    The median hourly wage for Optometrists in New York, NY-NJ is $77.17, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $97.62 or more per hour.

    Is New York above or below average for Optometrists salaries?

    The median Optometrists salary in New York, NY-NJ is 19.1% above 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 New York?

    Entry-level Optometrists (10th percentile) earn around $105,100 per year in New York, NY-NJ. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $145,600.