Optometrist salary in Mississippi
Optometrists in Mississippi earn a median of $108,070 a year ($51.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $215,640 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $136,570. Mississippi ranks 47th of 51 states for optometrists pay. There are 0.20 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $126,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Mississippi
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,470 | $30.51 |
| 25th percentile | $94,360 | $45.37 |
| Median | $108,070 | $51.96 |
| 75th percentile | $165,540 | $79.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $215,640 | $103.67 |
| Average (mean) | $126,580 | $60.86 |
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 | $9,005.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,502.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,156.54 |
| Weekly | $2,078.27 |
| Hourly | $51.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in cities in Mississippi
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $129,080 | 110 |
| Jackson, MS | $122,770 | 60 |
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 Mississippi
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $77,090 | $37.06 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,730 | $59.96 |
| Pharmacist | $133,230 | $64.05 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,990 | $48.07 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,130 | $37.56 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $63,270 | $30.42 |
| Occupational Therapist | $94,930 | $45.64 |
| Dental Hygienist | $67,280 | $32.35 |
| Dentists, General | $143,660 | $69.07 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $235,630 | $113.29 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $63,700 | $30.63 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $198,410 | $95.39 |
| Veterinarian | $105,370 | $50.66 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $252,960 | $121.62 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Mississippi
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 Mississippi?
The median salary for optometrists in Mississippi is $108,070 a year, or $51.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $215,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Mississippi?
The top 10% of optometrists in Mississippi earn at least $215,640 a year. The top 25% earn $165,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Mississippi?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,470 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $94,360 or less.
How many optometrists work in Mississippi?
About 240 optometrists are employed in Mississippi, not counting the self-employed.