Optometrist salary in Birmingham, AL
Optometrists in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn a median of $162,890 a year ($78.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $196,600 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 12% higher than the Alabama statewide median of $145,090. There are 0.21 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $150,310, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Birmingham, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,750 | $35.46 |
| 25th percentile | $133,120 | $64.00 |
| Median | $162,890 | $78.31 |
| 75th percentile | $170,650 | $82.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $196,600 | $94.52 |
| Average (mean) | $150,310 | $72.26 |
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 | $13,574.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,787.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,265 |
| Weekly | $3,132.50 |
| Hourly | $78.31 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | $161,170 | 50 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $160,680 | 40 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $121,830 | 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 |
See Optometrist pay in every state or the Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Birmingham, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,680 | $37.83 |
| Pharmacist | $138,800 | $66.73 |
| Physicians, All Other | $237,040 | $113.96 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $107,700 | $51.78 |
| Dental Hygienist | $61,730 | $29.68 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,750 | $47.00 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $67,480 | $32.44 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $175,850 | $84.54 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $75,750 | $36.42 |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,250 | $45.80 |
| Veterinarian | $106,890 | $51.39 |
| Physician Assistant | $105,440 | $50.69 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,220 | $31.35 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $334,100 | $160.63 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Birmingham, AL
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 Birmingham, AL?
The median salary for optometrists in the Birmingham, AL metro area is $162,890 a year, or $78.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $196,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Birmingham, AL?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn at least $196,600 a year. The top 25% earn $170,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Birmingham, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,750 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $133,120 or less.
How many optometrists work in Birmingham, AL?
About 110 optometrists are employed in the Birmingham, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.