Optometrist salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Optometrists in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $165,640 a year ($79.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $106,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,880 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 3% higher than the New York statewide median of $161,140. There are 0.31 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $149,220, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $106,650 | $51.27 |
| 25th percentile | $125,680 | $60.42 |
| Median | $165,640 | $79.63 |
| 75th percentile | $169,060 | $81.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,880 | $82.15 |
| Average (mean) | $149,220 | $71.74 |
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 | $13,803.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,901.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,370.77 |
| Weekly | $3,185.38 |
| Hourly | $79.63 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $164,020 | 130 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $161,850 | 90 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $161,030 | 2,580 |
| Rochester, NY | $159,380 | 120 |
| Syracuse, NY | $153,790 | 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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $99,060 | $47.63 |
| Physicians, All Other | $108,510 | $52.17 |
| Physical Therapist | $95,800 | $46.06 |
| Pharmacist | $137,900 | $66.30 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,220 | $63.57 |
| Physician Assistant | $126,360 | $60.75 |
| Occupational Therapist | $81,560 | $39.21 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $82,890 | $39.85 |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,470 | $39.65 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $86,720 | $41.69 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $77,990 | $37.49 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $186,600 | $89.71 |
| Dentists, General | $178,260 | $85.70 |
| Veterinarian | $127,500 | $61.30 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for optometrists in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $165,640 a year, or $79.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $106,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $170,880 a year. The top 25% earn $169,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $106,650 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $125,680 or less.
How many optometrists work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 160 optometrists are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.