Optometrist salary in Lancaster, PA
Optometrists in the Lancaster, PA metro area earn a median of $132,360 a year ($63.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $95,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,100 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 2% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $135,400. There are 0.22 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $135,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Lancaster, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $95,670 | $46.00 |
| 25th percentile | $129,560 | $62.29 |
| Median | $132,360 | $63.64 |
| 75th percentile | $156,880 | $75.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,100 | $77.45 |
| Average (mean) | $135,250 | $65.02 |
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 | $11,030 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,515 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,090.77 |
| Weekly | $2,545.38 |
| Hourly | $63.64 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $153,980 | 890 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $150,640 | 100 |
| Reading, PA | $139,400 | 40 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $134,990 | 80 |
| Erie, PA | $134,230 | 40 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $133,820 | 90 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $133,010 | 80 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $129,900 | 340 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lancaster, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $89,620 | $43.09 |
| Pharmacist | $134,320 | $64.58 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,240 | $49.63 |
| Dental Hygienist | $80,810 | $38.85 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $133,940 | $64.39 |
| Physician Assistant | $124,070 | $59.65 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $103,930 | $49.97 |
| Occupational Therapist | $102,460 | $49.26 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $80,060 | $38.49 |
| Veterinarian | $132,480 | $63.69 |
| Dentists, General | $141,960 | $68.25 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $66,320 | $31.88 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $294,800 | $141.73 |
| Chiropractor | $72,560 | $34.89 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Lancaster, PA
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 Lancaster, PA?
The median salary for optometrists in the Lancaster, PA metro area is $132,360 a year, or $63.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $95,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Lancaster, PA?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Lancaster, PA metro area earn at least $161,100 a year. The top 25% earn $156,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Lancaster, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $95,670 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $129,560 or less.
How many optometrists work in Lancaster, PA?
About 60 optometrists are employed in the Lancaster, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.