Optometrist salary in Lincoln, NE
Optometrists in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn a median of $126,510 a year ($60.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $193,880 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 1% higher than the Nebraska statewide median of $125,040. There are 0.41 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $123,950, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Lincoln, NE
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,160 | $26.52 |
| 25th percentile | $73,250 | $35.21 |
| Median | $126,510 | $60.82 |
| 75th percentile | $143,310 | $68.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $193,880 | $93.21 |
| Average (mean) | $123,950 | $59.59 |
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 | $10,542.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,271.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,865.77 |
| Weekly | $2,432.88 |
| Hourly | $60.82 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $127,110 | 140 |
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 Nebraska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lincoln, NE
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $87,530 | $42.08 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,780 | $47.97 |
| Pharmacist | $149,590 | $71.92 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,440 | $59.83 |
| Physician Assistant | $128,050 | $61.56 |
| Dental Hygienist | $95,100 | $45.72 |
| Occupational Therapist | $96,320 | $46.31 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $91,860 | $44.16 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $209,990 | $100.96 |
| Physicians, All Other | $326,620 | $157.03 |
| Dentists, General | $204,530 | $98.33 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,590 | $39.22 |
| Veterinarian | $104,330 | $50.16 |
| Chiropractor | $85,220 | $40.97 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Lincoln, NE
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 Lincoln, NE?
The median salary for optometrists in the Lincoln, NE metro area is $126,510 a year, or $60.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $193,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Lincoln, NE?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn at least $193,880 a year. The top 25% earn $143,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Lincoln, NE?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,160 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $73,250 or less.
How many optometrists work in Lincoln, NE?
About 70 optometrists are employed in the Lincoln, NE metro area, not counting the self-employed.