Optometrists Salary in Rochester, NY

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Rochester, NY

Median annual salary $139,990 +3.8% vs national
Median hourly $67.30
10th percentile $75,730
90th percentile $179,650
Employed locally 90
National median $134,830

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Optometrists
in
Rochester, NY
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $75,730
    25th
    $130,790
    50th (median)
    $139,990
    75th
    $162,160
    90th
    $179,650

    Rochester economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $74,438 2023 • Census ACS
    Optometrists salary vs area income 188% Median Optometrists salary is 88% 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
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $160,520
    Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY $160,390
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $149,340
    Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $147,380

    Related occupations in Rochester, NY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $95,010
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $60,880
    Nurse Practitioners $125,600
    Pharmacy Technicians $38,110
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $78,360
    Pharmacists $133,270

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Optometrists make per hour in Rochester?

    The median hourly wage for Optometrists in Rochester, NY is $67.30, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $90.24 or more per hour.

    Is Rochester above or below average for Optometrists salaries?

    The median Optometrists salary in Rochester, NY is 3.8% 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 Rochester?

    Entry-level Optometrists (10th percentile) earn around $75,730 per year in Rochester, NY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $130,790.