Optometrist salary in Arizona
Optometrists in Arizona earn a median of $122,250 a year ($58.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,080 workers.
Pay ranges from $99,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,490 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $136,570. Arizona ranks 42nd of 51 states for optometrists pay. There are 0.33 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $135,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Arizona
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $99,570 | $47.87 |
| 25th percentile | $104,480 | $50.23 |
| Median | $122,250 | $58.78 |
| 75th percentile | $165,030 | $79.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $171,490 | $82.45 |
| Average (mean) | $135,280 | $65.04 |
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 | $10,187.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,093.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,701.92 |
| Weekly | $2,350.96 |
| Hourly | $58.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in cities in Arizona
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Tucson, AZ | $157,650 | 80 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $115,960 | 860 |
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 Arizona
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $99,500 | $47.84 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,420 | $64.63 |
| Pharmacist | $146,930 | $70.64 |
| Physicians, All Other | $312,490 | $150.24 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,220 | $49.62 |
| Dental Hygienist | $101,010 | $48.56 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,650 | $64.73 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| Dentists, General | $194,180 | $93.36 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $97,800 | $47.02 |
| Occupational Therapist | $103,660 | $49.84 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $292,760 | $140.75 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $259,320 | $124.67 |
| Veterinarian | $152,020 | $73.09 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Arizona
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 Arizona?
The median salary for optometrists in Arizona is $122,250 a year, or $58.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $99,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Arizona?
The top 10% of optometrists in Arizona earn at least $171,490 a year. The top 25% earn $165,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Arizona?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $99,570 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $104,480 or less.
How many optometrists work in Arizona?
About 1,080 optometrists are employed in Arizona, not counting the self-employed.