Optometrist salary in Fort Wayne, IN
Optometrists in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area earn a median of $129,390 a year ($62.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $82,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $178,500 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 5% lower than the Indiana statewide median of $135,500. There are 0.29 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $131,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Fort Wayne, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,970 | $39.89 |
| 25th percentile | $92,700 | $44.57 |
| Median | $129,390 | $62.21 |
| 75th percentile | $161,820 | $77.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $178,500 | $85.82 |
| Average (mean) | $131,890 | $63.41 |
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 | $10,782.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,391.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,976.54 |
| Weekly | $2,488.27 |
| Hourly | $62.21 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $156,990 | 300 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $145,630 | 1,160 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $138,360 | 30 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $137,590 | 340 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $135,720 | 230 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $134,830 | 50 |
| Evansville, IN | $133,800 | 40 |
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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Wayne, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $79,630 | $38.29 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,050 | $61.08 |
| Physicians, All Other | $388,320 | $186.69 |
| Dental Hygienist | $86,120 | $41.40 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,450 | $47.33 |
| Pharmacist | $152,530 | $73.33 |
| Occupational Therapist | $86,580 | $41.63 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| Physician Assistant | $131,400 | $63.17 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $77,390 | $37.21 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $75,960 | $36.52 |
| Dentists, General | $183,590 | $88.27 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Veterinarian | $124,970 | $60.08 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Fort Wayne, IN
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 Fort Wayne, IN?
The median salary for optometrists in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area is $129,390 a year, or $62.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $82,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $178,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Fort Wayne, IN?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area earn at least $178,500 a year. The top 25% earn $161,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Fort Wayne, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $82,970 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $92,700 or less.
How many optometrists work in Fort Wayne, IN?
About 60 optometrists are employed in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.