Optometrist salary in Albuquerque, NM
Optometrists in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn a median of $165,810 a year ($79.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $209,220 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 15% higher than the New Mexico statewide median of $144,660. There are 0.16 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $160,830, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Albuquerque, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,110 | $29.86 |
| 25th percentile | $124,520 | $59.86 |
| Median | $165,810 | $79.71 |
| 75th percentile | $184,770 | $88.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $209,220 | $100.59 |
| Average (mean) | $160,830 | $77.32 |
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 | $13,817.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,908.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,377.31 |
| Weekly | $3,188.65 |
| Hourly | $79.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albuquerque, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $96,040 | $46.17 |
| Physicians, All Other | $327,670 | $157.54 |
| Pharmacist | $147,000 | $70.67 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $140,950 | $67.77 |
| Dental Hygienist | $95,900 | $46.10 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,510 | $49.76 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $99,160 | $47.68 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,170 | $47.68 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $68,870 | $33.11 |
| Dentists, General | $141,580 | $68.07 |
| Physician Assistant | $139,920 | $67.27 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $75,590 | $36.34 |
| Veterinarian | $140,200 | $67.40 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $185,200 | $89.04 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Albuquerque, NM
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 Albuquerque, NM?
The median salary for optometrists in the Albuquerque, NM metro area is $165,810 a year, or $79.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $209,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Albuquerque, NM?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn at least $209,220 a year. The top 25% earn $184,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Albuquerque, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,110 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $124,520 or less.
How many optometrists work in Albuquerque, NM?
About 70 optometrists are employed in the Albuquerque, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.