Optometrist salary in Dover, DE
Optometrists in the Dover, DE metro area earn a median of $165,660 a year ($79.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $103,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $202,850 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 3% higher than the Delaware statewide median of $161,270. There are 0.45 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $155,270, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Dover, DE
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $103,000 | $49.52 |
| 25th percentile | $135,300 | $65.05 |
| Median | $165,660 | $79.64 |
| 75th percentile | $188,490 | $90.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $202,850 | $97.52 |
| Average (mean) | $155,270 | $74.65 |
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 | $13,805 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,902.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,371.54 |
| Weekly | $3,185.77 |
| Hourly | $79.64 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $153,980 | 890 |
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 Delaware statewide figures.
Related jobs in Dover, DE
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $91,620 | $44.05 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $122,930 | $59.10 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,260 | $47.24 |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,730 | $46.51 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $233,980 | $112.49 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $98,930 | $47.56 |
| Pharmacist | $151,930 | $73.05 |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,610 | $45.97 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,190 | $62.11 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $84,410 | $40.58 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $62,140 | $29.88 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $44,910 | $21.59 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $45,060 | $21.66 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $53,920 | $25.92 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Dover, DE
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 Dover, DE?
The median salary for optometrists in the Dover, DE metro area is $165,660 a year, or $79.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $103,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $202,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Dover, DE?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Dover, DE metro area earn at least $202,850 a year. The top 25% earn $188,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Dover, DE?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $103,000 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $135,300 or less.
How many optometrists work in Dover, DE?
About 30 optometrists are employed in the Dover, DE metro area, not counting the self-employed.