Optometrist salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Optometrists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median of $154,970 a year ($74.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 710 workers.
Pay ranges from $95,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $199,060 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 2% higher than the Massachusetts statewide median of $151,730. There are 0.26 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $156,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $95,780 | $46.05 |
| 25th percentile | $126,540 | $60.84 |
| Median | $154,970 | $74.51 |
| 75th percentile | $166,920 | $80.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $199,060 | $95.70 |
| Average (mean) | $156,260 | $75.13 |
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 | $12,914.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,457.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,960.38 |
| Weekly | $2,980.19 |
| Hourly | $74.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $154,970 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Optometrist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town, MA | $154,290 | 30 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $150,520 | 40 |
| Worcester, MA | $149,600 | 90 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $139,910 | 310 |
| Springfield, MA | $136,680 | 30 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | $124,470 | 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 Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $106,180 | $51.05 |
| Physicians, All Other | $229,870 | $110.51 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $147,480 | $70.90 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,550 | $49.78 |
| Pharmacist | $139,660 | $67.14 |
| Dental Hygienist | $101,990 | $49.03 |
| Occupational Therapist | $101,940 | $49.01 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $102,810 | $49.43 |
| Physician Assistant | $142,410 | $68.47 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $284,010 | $136.54 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $77,840 | $37.43 |
| Dentists, General | $181,150 | $87.09 |
| Pediatricians, General | $221,170 | $106.33 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $104,580 | $50.28 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
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 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median salary for optometrists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $154,970 a year, or $74.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $95,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $199,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn at least $199,060 a year. The top 25% earn $166,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $95,780 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $126,540 or less.
How many optometrists work in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
About 710 optometrists are employed in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, not counting the self-employed.