Optometrist salary in Indiana
Optometrists in Indiana earn a median of $135,500 a year ($65.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,040 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $193,270 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $136,570. Indiana ranks 25th of 51 states for optometrists pay. There are 0.32 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $137,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Indiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,860 | $36.95 |
| 25th percentile | $102,840 | $49.44 |
| Median | $135,500 | $65.14 |
| 75th percentile | $161,820 | $77.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $193,270 | $92.92 |
| Average (mean) | $137,020 | $65.87 |
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 | $11,291.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,645.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,211.54 |
| Weekly | $2,605.77 |
| Hourly | $65.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in cities in Indiana
| 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 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $129,390 | 60 |
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 Indiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $83,500 | $40.14 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,830 | $61.94 |
| Physicians, All Other | $366,190 | $176.06 |
| Pharmacist | $144,290 | $69.37 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,560 | $48.83 |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,330 | $44.39 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,020 | $46.65 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $87,360 | $42.00 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,730 | $38.33 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $314,390 | $151.15 |
| Dentists, General | $166,650 | $80.12 |
| Physician Assistant | $132,050 | $63.49 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $66,450 | $31.95 |
| Veterinarian | $124,530 | $59.87 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Indiana
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 Indiana?
The median salary for optometrists in Indiana is $135,500 a year, or $65.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $193,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Indiana?
The top 10% of optometrists in Indiana earn at least $193,270 a year. The top 25% earn $161,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Indiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,860 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $102,840 or less.
How many optometrists work in Indiana?
About 1,040 optometrists are employed in Indiana, not counting the self-employed.