Optometrist salary in Maryland
Optometrists in Maryland earn a median of $165,840 a year ($79.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 780 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $215,420 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $136,570. Maryland ranks 2nd of 51 states for optometrists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.28 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $148,910, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Maryland
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,560 | $24.31 |
| 25th percentile | $81,780 | $39.32 |
| Median | $165,840 | $79.73 |
| 75th percentile | $201,810 | $97.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $215,420 | $103.57 |
| Average (mean) | $148,910 | $71.59 |
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 | $13,820 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,910 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,378.46 |
| Weekly | $3,189.23 |
| Hourly | $79.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in cities in Maryland
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $154,690 | 770 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $153,980 | 890 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $144,270 | 330 |
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 Maryland
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $99,790 | $47.98 |
| Physicians, All Other | $212,080 | $101.96 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,110 | $63.03 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $164,670 | $79.17 |
| Pharmacist | $138,990 | $66.82 |
| Physical Therapist | $106,890 | $51.39 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $99,190 | $47.69 |
| Dental Hygienist | $107,830 | $51.84 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $260,410 | $125.20 |
| Physician Assistant | $137,560 | $66.13 |
| Occupational Therapist | $106,980 | $51.43 |
| Dentists, General | $168,500 | $81.01 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $88,960 | $42.77 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $77,800 | $37.41 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Maryland
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 Maryland?
The median salary for optometrists in Maryland is $165,840 a year, or $79.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $215,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Maryland?
The top 10% of optometrists in Maryland earn at least $215,420 a year. The top 25% earn $201,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Maryland?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,560 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $81,780 or less.
How many optometrists work in Maryland?
About 780 optometrists are employed in Maryland, not counting the self-employed.