Optometrist salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Optometrists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $158,130 a year ($76.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 470 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $214,620 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 4% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $152,000. There are 0.29 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $160,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,670 | $38.30 |
| 25th percentile | $127,310 | $61.21 |
| Median | $158,130 | $76.02 |
| 75th percentile | $169,780 | $81.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $214,620 | $103.18 |
| Average (mean) | $160,020 | $76.94 |
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 | $13,177.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,588.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,081.92 |
| Weekly | $3,040.96 |
| Hourly | $76.02 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $163,240 | 80 |
| 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 |
See Optometrist pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $101,130 | $48.62 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,340 | $49.20 |
| Pharmacist | $157,890 | $75.91 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $112,090 | $53.89 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,040 | $64.44 |
| Dental Hygienist | $113,760 | $54.69 |
| Dentists, General | $168,620 | $81.07 |
| Occupational Therapist | $107,500 | $51.68 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,540 | $64.68 |
| Physicians, All Other | $298,600 | $143.56 |
| Veterinarian | $135,090 | $64.95 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $85,870 | $41.28 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $255,590 | $122.88 |
| Chiropractor | $84,100 | $40.43 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for optometrists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $158,130 a year, or $76.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $214,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $214,620 a year. The top 25% earn $169,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,670 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $127,310 or less.
How many optometrists work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 470 optometrists are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.