Optometrist salary in District of Columbia
Optometrists in District of Columbia earn a median of $134,840 a year ($64.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $102,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $207,570 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $136,570. District of Columbia ranks 28th of 51 states for optometrists pay. There are 0.07 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.26). The average (mean) salary is $145,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $102,570 | $49.31 |
| 25th percentile | $113,030 | $54.34 |
| Median | $134,840 | $64.83 |
| 75th percentile | $163,070 | $78.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $207,570 | $99.79 |
| Average (mean) | $145,590 | $70.00 |
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 | $11,236.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,618.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,186.15 |
| Weekly | $2,593.08 |
| Hourly | $64.83 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $134,840 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Optometrist salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $154,690 | 770 |
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 District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $102,540 | $49.30 |
| Physicians, All Other | $77,430 | $37.23 |
| Pharmacist | $153,400 | $73.75 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $135,880 | $65.33 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,640 | $48.87 |
| Occupational Therapist | $109,170 | $52.49 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $223,250 | $107.33 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $151,990 | $73.07 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,140 | $64.97 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $111,950 | $53.82 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $109,380 | $52.59 |
| Dental Hygienist | $137,220 | $65.97 |
| Psychiatrist | $183,080 | $88.02 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $82,150 | $39.50 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for optometrists in District of Columbia is $134,840 a year, or $64.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $102,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $207,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of optometrists in District of Columbia earn at least $207,570 a year. The top 25% earn $163,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $102,570 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $113,030 or less.
How many optometrists work in District of Columbia?
About 50 optometrists are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.