Optometrist salary in Erie, PA
Optometrists in the Erie, PA metro area earn a median of $134,230 a year ($64.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $98,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $207,800 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 1% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $135,400. There are 0.36 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $164,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Erie, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $98,690 | $47.45 |
| 25th percentile | $124,470 | $59.84 |
| Median | $134,230 | $64.53 |
| 75th percentile | $160,270 | $77.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $207,800 | $99.90 |
| Average (mean) | $164,590 | $79.13 |
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 | $11,185.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,592.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,162.69 |
| Weekly | $2,581.35 |
| Hourly | $64.53 |
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 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $150,640 | 100 |
| Reading, PA | $139,400 | 40 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $134,990 | 80 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $133,820 | 90 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $133,010 | 80 |
| Lancaster, PA | $132,360 | 60 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $129,900 | 340 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Erie, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $80,000 | $38.46 |
| Physicians, All Other | $73,600 | $35.39 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $122,100 | $58.70 |
| Physical Therapist | $94,830 | $45.59 |
| Pharmacist | $128,360 | $61.71 |
| Physician Assistant | $111,260 | $53.49 |
| Dental Hygienist | $77,360 | $37.19 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $84,190 | $40.48 |
| Occupational Therapist | $93,560 | $44.98 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $62,480 | $30.04 |
| Dentists, General | $137,530 | $66.12 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $66,730 | $32.08 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $212,120 | $101.98 |
| Veterinarian | $123,670 | $59.46 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Erie, PA
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 Erie, PA?
The median salary for optometrists in the Erie, PA metro area is $134,230 a year, or $64.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $98,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $207,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Erie, PA?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Erie, PA metro area earn at least $207,800 a year. The top 25% earn $160,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Erie, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $98,690 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $124,470 or less.
How many optometrists work in Erie, PA?
About 40 optometrists are employed in the Erie, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.