Optometrist salary in Alaska
Optometrists in Alaska earn a median of $170,310 a year ($81.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $98,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $218,180 for the top 10%. That is 25% higher than the national median of $136,570. Alaska ranks 1st of 51 states for optometrists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.18 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $165,120, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Alaska
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $98,530 | $47.37 |
| 25th percentile | $134,480 | $64.66 |
| Median | $170,310 | $81.88 |
| 75th percentile | $203,510 | $97.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $218,180 | $104.89 |
| Average (mean) | $165,120 | $79.38 |
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 | $14,192.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,096.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,550.38 |
| Weekly | $3,275.19 |
| Hourly | $81.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in cities in Alaska
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK | $167,000 | 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 Alaska
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $109,480 | $52.64 |
| Dental Hygienist | $132,690 | $63.79 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $323,490 | $155.52 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $155,170 | $74.60 |
| Physician Assistant | $150,700 | $72.45 |
| Physical Therapist | $115,280 | $55.43 |
| Pharmacist | $167,310 | $80.44 |
| Occupational Therapist | $103,680 | $49.85 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $102,670 | $49.36 |
| Dentists, General | $230,990 | $111.05 |
| Physicians, All Other | $355,100 | $170.72 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $452,620 | $217.61 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $97,950 | $47.09 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $87,980 | $42.30 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Alaska
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 Alaska?
The median salary for optometrists in Alaska is $170,310 a year, or $81.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $98,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $218,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Alaska?
The top 10% of optometrists in Alaska earn at least $218,180 a year. The top 25% earn $203,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Alaska?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $98,530 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $134,480 or less.
How many optometrists work in Alaska?
About 60 optometrists are employed in Alaska, not counting the self-employed.