Optometrist salary in Kansas City, MO-KS
Optometrists in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $138,580 a year ($66.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 450 workers.
Pay ranges from $93,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $176,030 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 4% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $133,810. There are 0.41 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $139,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $93,640 | $45.02 |
| 25th percentile | $120,000 | $57.69 |
| Median | $138,580 | $66.63 |
| 75th percentile | $148,450 | $71.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $176,030 | $84.63 |
| Average (mean) | $139,360 | $67.00 |
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 | $11,548.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,774.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,330 |
| Weekly | $2,665 |
| Hourly | $66.63 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield, MO | $138,160 | 70 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $135,090 | 340 |
| Topeka, KS | $130,930 | 30 |
| Wichita, KS | $123,940 | 120 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $83,040 | $39.92 |
| Physicians, All Other | $126,260 | $60.70 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,760 | $62.87 |
| Pharmacist | $139,460 | $67.05 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,270 | $48.69 |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,750 | $44.59 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,840 | $48.00 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,120 | $41.40 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,140 | $38.05 |
| Dentists, General | $171,690 | $82.54 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $218,080 | $104.85 |
| Veterinarian | $122,490 | $58.89 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $213,950 | $102.86 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $69,820 | $33.57 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Kansas City, MO-KS
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 Kansas City, MO-KS?
The median salary for optometrists in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area is $138,580 a year, or $66.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $93,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $176,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Kansas City, MO-KS?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn at least $176,030 a year. The top 25% earn $148,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Kansas City, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $93,640 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $120,000 or less.
How many optometrists work in Kansas City, MO-KS?
About 450 optometrists are employed in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.