Optometrist salary in Alabama
Optometrists in Alabama earn a median of $145,090 a year ($69.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 460 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $196,600 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $136,570. Alabama ranks 17th of 51 states for optometrists pay. There are 0.21 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $137,460, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,740 | $27.28 |
| 25th percentile | $104,730 | $50.35 |
| Median | $145,090 | $69.75 |
| 75th percentile | $166,870 | $80.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $196,600 | $94.52 |
| Average (mean) | $137,460 | $66.09 |
Half of optometrists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $12,090.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,045.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,580.38 |
| Weekly | $2,790.19 |
| Hourly | $69.75 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | $162,890 | 110 |
| Huntsville, AL | $161,170 | 50 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $160,680 | 40 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $121,830 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for optometrists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $170,310 |
| Maryland | $165,840 |
| North Carolina | $161,560 |
| Delaware | $161,270 |
| New York | $161,140 |
| New Jersey | $159,040 |
| Minnesota | $158,700 |
| Washington | $157,560 |
| Hawaii | $154,620 |
| Maine | $154,110 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $77,080 | $37.06 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $105,750 | $50.84 |
| Pharmacist | $134,630 | $64.72 |
| Physicians, All Other | $272,610 | $131.06 |
| Dental Hygienist | $61,160 | $29.41 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,290 | $46.77 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $66,150 | $31.81 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $73,660 | $35.41 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $190,300 | $91.49 |
| Occupational Therapist | $94,050 | $45.21 |
| Veterinarian | $105,630 | $50.79 |
| Physician Assistant | $104,960 | $50.46 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $66,190 | $31.82 |
| Chiropractor | $80,990 | $38.94 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a optometrist make in Alabama?
The median salary for optometrists in Alabama is $145,090 a year, or $69.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $196,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Alabama?
The top 10% of optometrists in Alabama earn at least $196,600 a year. The top 25% earn $166,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,740 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $104,730 or less.
How many optometrists work in Alabama?
About 460 optometrists are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.