Optometrist salary in Iowa
Optometrists in Iowa earn a median of $125,380 a year ($60.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 450 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $175,460 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $136,570. Iowa ranks 39th of 51 states for optometrists pay. There are 0.29 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $123,250, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,660 | $35.42 |
| 25th percentile | $90,330 | $43.43 |
| Median | $125,380 | $60.28 |
| 75th percentile | $140,630 | $67.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $175,460 | $84.36 |
| Average (mean) | $123,250 | $59.25 |
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 | $10,448.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,224.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,822.31 |
| Weekly | $2,411.15 |
| Hourly | $60.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $129,780 | 110 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $128,890 | 40 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $127,110 | 140 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $102,860 | 50 |
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,630 | $37.80 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,160 | $62.58 |
| Pharmacist | $138,860 | $66.76 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,560 | $46.90 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,010 | $40.39 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $81,050 | $38.97 |
| Physicians, All Other | $295,190 | $141.92 |
| Occupational Therapist | $89,910 | $43.22 |
| Dentists, General | $181,520 | $87.27 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,770 | $64.79 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,200 | $127.50 |
| Veterinarian | $124,610 | $59.91 |
| Chiropractor | $75,050 | $36.08 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $74,760 | $35.94 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for optometrists in Iowa is $125,380 a year, or $60.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $175,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Iowa?
The top 10% of optometrists in Iowa earn at least $175,460 a year. The top 25% earn $140,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,660 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $90,330 or less.
How many optometrists work in Iowa?
About 450 optometrists are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.