Optometrist salary in Colorado
Optometrists in Colorado earn a median of $152,000 a year ($73.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 880 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $212,120 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $136,570. Colorado ranks 11th of 51 states for optometrists pay. There are 0.31 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $152,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,910 | $31.69 |
| 25th percentile | $110,020 | $52.90 |
| Median | $152,000 | $73.08 |
| 75th percentile | $169,190 | $81.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $212,120 | $101.98 |
| Average (mean) | $152,460 | $73.30 |
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 | $12,666.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,333.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,846.15 |
| Weekly | $2,923.08 |
| Hourly | $73.08 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $163,240 | 80 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $158,130 | 470 |
| Boulder, CO | $153,500 | 60 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $131,980 | 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 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $100,260 | $48.20 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,030 | $49.05 |
| Pharmacist | $156,030 | $75.01 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $110,750 | $53.25 |
| Dental Hygienist | $109,580 | $52.68 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,930 | $63.91 |
| Occupational Therapist | $106,720 | $51.31 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,540 | $64.68 |
| Dentists, General | $166,240 | $79.92 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,560 | $127.67 |
| Veterinarian | $130,840 | $62.91 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $86,220 | $41.45 |
| Physicians, All Other | $298,320 | $143.42 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $75,510 | $36.30 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for optometrists in Colorado is $152,000 a year, or $73.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $212,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Colorado?
The top 10% of optometrists in Colorado earn at least $212,120 a year. The top 25% earn $169,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,910 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $110,020 or less.
How many optometrists work in Colorado?
About 880 optometrists are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.