Optometrist salary in Cedar Rapids, IA
Optometrists in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn a median of $102,860 a year ($49.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,570 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 18% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $125,380. There are 0.36 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $116,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,040 | $38.00 |
| 25th percentile | $96,730 | $46.50 |
| Median | $102,860 | $49.45 |
| 75th percentile | $129,930 | $62.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,570 | $80.08 |
| Average (mean) | $116,690 | $56.10 |
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 | $8,571.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,285.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,956.15 |
| Weekly | $1,978.08 |
| Hourly | $49.45 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $129,780 | 110 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $128,890 | 40 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $127,110 | 140 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,370 | $37.68 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,890 | $62.45 |
| Pharmacist | $133,520 | $64.19 |
| Physical Therapist | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,270 | $39.55 |
| Chiropractor | $77,460 | $37.24 |
| Dentists, General | $175,420 | $84.34 |
| Occupational Therapist | $79,690 | $38.31 |
| Veterinarian | $127,160 | $61.13 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $260,440 | $125.21 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,680 | $62.35 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $77,550 | $37.29 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $66,830 | $32.13 |
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Cedar Rapids, IA
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 Cedar Rapids, IA?
The median salary for optometrists in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area is $102,860 a year, or $49.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Cedar Rapids, IA?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn at least $166,570 a year. The top 25% earn $129,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Cedar Rapids, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,040 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $96,730 or less.
How many optometrists work in Cedar Rapids, IA?
About 50 optometrists are employed in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.