Optometrists Salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Median annual salary $163,320 +21.1% vs national
Median hourly $78.52
10th percentile $70,620
90th percentile $226,060
Employed locally 720
National median $134,830

Compare Optometrists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Optometrists
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $70,620
    25th
    $103,960
    50th (median)
    $163,320
    75th
    $182,970
    90th
    $226,060

    Washington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $123,896 2023 • Census ACS
    Optometrists salary vs area income 132% Median Optometrists salary is 32% 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

    Related occupations in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses$101,800
    Physicians, All Other$191,880
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$71,900
    Pharmacy Technicians$45,550
    Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other$162,610
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$71,280

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Optometrists make per hour in Washington?

    The median hourly wage for Optometrists in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is $78.52, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $107.71 or more per hour.

    Is Washington above or below average for Optometrists salaries?

    The median Optometrists salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is 21.1% 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 Washington?

    Entry-level Optometrists (10th percentile) earn around $70,620 per year in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $103,960.