Optometrist salary in Arkansas
Optometrists in Arkansas earn a median of $124,470 a year ($59.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $181,520 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $136,570. Arkansas ranks 41st of 51 states for optometrists pay. There are 0.25 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $125,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,960 | $27.86 |
| 25th percentile | $84,140 | $40.45 |
| Median | $124,470 | $59.84 |
| 75th percentile | $147,590 | $70.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $181,520 | $87.27 |
| Average (mean) | $125,460 | $60.32 |
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 | $10,372.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,186.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,787.31 |
| Weekly | $2,393.65 |
| Hourly | $59.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $131,890 | 80 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $129,080 | 110 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $114,360 | 70 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $109,200 | 40 |
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 Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,940 | $37.95 |
| Physicians, All Other | $136,880 | $65.81 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $125,660 | $60.41 |
| Pharmacist | $136,060 | $65.41 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,010 | $47.60 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,580 | $40.18 |
| Occupational Therapist | $106,360 | $51.14 |
| Dental Hygienist | $86,760 | $41.71 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $73,870 | $35.51 |
| Dentists, General | $178,930 | $86.02 |
| Physician Assistant | $118,430 | $56.94 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,540 | $31.51 |
| Veterinarian | $107,710 | $51.79 |
| Therapists, All Other | $61,920 | $29.77 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
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 Arkansas?
The median salary for optometrists in Arkansas is $124,470 a year, or $59.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $181,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of optometrists in Arkansas earn at least $181,520 a year. The top 25% earn $147,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,960 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $84,140 or less.
How many optometrists work in Arkansas?
About 320 optometrists are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.