Optometrists Salary in St. Louis, MO-IL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • St. Louis, MO-IL

Median annual salary $130,620 -3.1% vs national
Median hourly $62.80
10th percentile $59,990
90th percentile $170,600
Employed locally 350
National median $134,830

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Optometrists
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St. Louis, MO-IL
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $59,990
    25th
    $105,990
    50th (median)
    $130,620
    75th
    $159,110
    90th
    $170,600

    St. Louis economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $78,225 2023 • Census ACS
    Optometrists salary vs area income 167% Median Optometrists salary is 67% 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
    Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL $157,970
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $157,750
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $156,610
    Vermont $156,000
    Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC $149,510
    Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $137,290

    Related occupations in St. Louis, MO-IL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses$82,560
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$62,540
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$54,740
    Pharmacy Technicians$40,030
    Nurse Practitioners$129,390
    Pharmacists$137,730

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Optometrists make per hour in St. Louis?

    The median hourly wage for Optometrists in St. Louis, MO-IL is $62.80, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $93.00 or more per hour.

    Is St. Louis above or below average for Optometrists salaries?

    The median Optometrists salary in St. Louis, MO-IL is 3.1% 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 St. Louis?

    Entry-level Optometrists (10th percentile) earn around $59,990 per year in St. Louis, MO-IL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $105,990.