Optometrist salary in Georgia
Optometrists in Georgia earn a median of $128,830 a year ($61.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 870 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $189,610 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $136,570. Georgia ranks 36th of 51 states for optometrists pay. There are 0.18 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $128,630, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Georgia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,030 | $24.54 |
| 25th percentile | $104,850 | $50.41 |
| Median | $128,830 | $61.94 |
| 75th percentile | $159,140 | $76.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $189,610 | $91.16 |
| Average (mean) | $128,630 | $61.84 |
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 | $10,735.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,367.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,955 |
| Weekly | $2,477.50 |
| Hourly | $61.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in cities in Georgia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Savannah, GA | $159,330 | 30 |
| Albany, GA | $134,250 | 40 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $130,390 | 70 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $128,830 | 450 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $126,600 | 60 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $121,830 | 30 |
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 Georgia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $93,550 | $44.98 |
| Pharmacist | $137,120 | $65.92 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,430 | $62.22 |
| Physicians, All Other | $266,880 | $128.31 |
| Dental Hygienist | $95,490 | $45.91 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,700 | $49.38 |
| Physician Assistant | $115,390 | $55.48 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $425,460 | $204.55 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $83,700 | $40.24 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $96,760 | $46.52 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $259,320 | $124.67 |
| Occupational Therapist | $104,010 | $50.01 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $126,300 | $60.72 |
| Veterinarian | $126,590 | $60.86 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Georgia
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 Georgia?
The median salary for optometrists in Georgia is $128,830 a year, or $61.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $189,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Georgia?
The top 10% of optometrists in Georgia earn at least $189,610 a year. The top 25% earn $159,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Georgia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,030 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $104,850 or less.
How many optometrists work in Georgia?
About 870 optometrists are employed in Georgia, not counting the self-employed.