Optometrist salary in Kentucky
Optometrists in Kentucky earn a median of $128,860 a year ($61.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 430 workers.
Pay ranges from $82,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $254,630 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $136,570. Kentucky ranks 35th of 51 states for optometrists pay. There are 0.22 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $142,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,240 | $39.54 |
| 25th percentile | $97,290 | $46.77 |
| Median | $128,860 | $61.95 |
| 75th percentile | $168,030 | $80.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $254,630 | $122.42 |
| Average (mean) | $142,710 | $68.61 |
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 | $10,738.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,369.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,956.15 |
| Weekly | $2,478.08 |
| Hourly | $61.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $156,990 | 300 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $139,060 | 40 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $135,720 | 230 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $132,200 | 30 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $103,670 | 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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,040 | $38.96 |
| Pharmacist | $136,530 | $65.64 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $122,870 | $59.07 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,710 | $48.42 |
| Physicians, All Other | $327,390 | $157.40 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,550 | $40.17 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $72,750 | $34.98 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,650 | $46.95 |
| Dental Hygienist | $78,830 | $37.90 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $222,520 | $106.98 |
| Physician Assistant | $120,760 | $58.06 |
| Veterinarian | $104,100 | $50.05 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $248,730 | $119.58 |
| Anesthesiologist | $347,960 | $167.29 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for optometrists in Kentucky is $128,860 a year, or $61.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $82,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $254,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of optometrists in Kentucky earn at least $254,630 a year. The top 25% earn $168,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $82,240 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $97,290 or less.
How many optometrists work in Kentucky?
About 430 optometrists are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.