Optometrist salary in Massachusetts
Optometrists in Massachusetts earn a median of $151,730 a year ($72.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 950 workers.
Pay ranges from $95,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $196,470 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $136,570. Massachusetts ranks 12th of 51 states for optometrists pay. There are 0.26 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $152,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $95,780 | $46.05 |
| 25th percentile | $130,480 | $62.73 |
| Median | $151,730 | $72.95 |
| 75th percentile | $166,920 | $80.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $196,470 | $94.46 |
| Average (mean) | $152,550 | $73.34 |
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 | $12,644.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,322.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,835.77 |
| Weekly | $2,917.88 |
| Hourly | $72.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $154,970 | 710 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $154,290 | 30 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $150,520 | 40 |
| Worcester, MA | $149,600 | 90 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $139,910 | 310 |
| Springfield, MA | $136,680 | 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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $104,550 | $50.27 |
| Physicians, All Other | $236,580 | $113.74 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $142,440 | $68.48 |
| Pharmacist | $138,170 | $66.43 |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,640 | $48.39 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,790 | $49.90 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,930 | $48.53 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $101,310 | $48.71 |
| Physician Assistant | $142,410 | $68.47 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $277,490 | $133.41 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $76,660 | $36.86 |
| Dentists, General | $181,600 | $87.31 |
| Pediatricians, General | $221,170 | $106.33 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $102,170 | $49.12 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for optometrists in Massachusetts is $151,730 a year, or $72.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $95,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $196,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of optometrists in Massachusetts earn at least $196,470 a year. The top 25% earn $166,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $95,780 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $130,480 or less.
How many optometrists work in Massachusetts?
About 950 optometrists are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.