Optometrist salary in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
Optometrists in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area earn a median of $164,020 a year ($78.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $193,610 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 2% higher than the New York statewide median of $161,140. There are 0.28 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $146,400, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,960 | $31.71 |
| 25th percentile | $115,960 | $55.75 |
| Median | $164,020 | $78.85 |
| 75th percentile | $174,720 | $84.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $193,610 | $93.08 |
| Average (mean) | $146,400 | $70.38 |
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 | $13,668.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,834.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,308.46 |
| Weekly | $3,154.23 |
| Hourly | $78.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $165,640 | 160 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $161,850 | 90 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $161,030 | 2,580 |
| Rochester, NY | $159,380 | 120 |
| Syracuse, NY | $153,790 | 100 |
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 |
See Optometrist pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $99,970 | $48.06 |
| Pharmacist | $136,720 | $65.73 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,590 | $64.71 |
| Physical Therapist | $94,020 | $45.20 |
| Physician Assistant | $137,850 | $66.28 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,030 | $47.13 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $82,160 | $39.50 |
| Physicians, All Other | $314,460 | $151.19 |
| Occupational Therapist | $85,990 | $41.34 |
| Anesthesiologist | $471,720 | $226.79 |
| Dentists, General | $193,780 | $93.16 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $85,250 | $40.98 |
| Veterinarian | $131,680 | $63.31 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $79,130 | $38.04 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
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 Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
The median salary for optometrists in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area is $164,020 a year, or $78.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $193,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area earn at least $193,610 a year. The top 25% earn $174,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,960 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $115,960 or less.
How many optometrists work in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
About 130 optometrists are employed in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.