Optometrists
How pay grows with experience
Optometrists — typical pay by experience
Annual wages statewide: starting out, typical (median), and experienced.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting out (entry) | $119,846 |
| Median (typical) | $167,474 |
| Experienced | $184,449 |
Source: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (NYSDOL / U.S. BLS via data.ny.gov)
Where it pays most across New York
Median pay for this occupation by region. Select a region for its full profile.
Optometrists — median pay by region
Regional median annual wage, highest first.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| North Country | $170,557 |
| New York City | $169,778 |
| Long Island | $169,424 |
| Central New York | $167,843 |
| Capital Region | $165,342 |
| Hudson Valley | $165,310 |
| Western New York | $164,750 |
| Finger Lakes | $142,622 |
| Mohawk Valley | $137,338 |
| Southern Tier | $133,579 |
Source: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (NYSDOL / U.S. BLS via data.ny.gov)
Higher-paying roles in the same field
Jobs in the same field (Healthcare Practitioners & Technical) that pay more than this one. A plain “same field, higher pay” guide — not a skills-match score.
- Dentists, General$168,518 median (+$1,044) · +19.8% by 2032
- Surgeons, All Other$170,762 median (+$3,288)
- General Internal Medicine Physicians$178,049 median (+$10,575) · +27.0% by 2032
- Family Medicine Physicians$220,626 median (+$53,152) · +23.7% by 2032
- Neurologists$220,657 median (+$53,183)
- Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric$221,488 median (+$54,014)
Lower-paying roles in the same field
Jobs in the same field (Healthcare Practitioners & Technical) that pay less than this one — often earlier-career roles or a way in.
- Pediatricians, General$159,794 median (−$7,680) · +26.7% by 2032
- Physician Assistants$156,800 median (−$10,674) · +27.2% by 2032
- Nurse Practitioners$149,341 median (−$18,133) · +26.3% by 2032
- Pharmacists$140,055 median (−$27,419) · +6.6% by 2032
- Veterinarians$134,900 median (−$32,574) · +14.7% by 2032
- Radiation Therapists$125,826 median (−$41,648) · +27.9% by 2032
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