Optometrist salary in Missouri
Optometrists in Missouri earn a median of $133,810 a year ($64.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 630 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $175,270 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $136,570. Missouri ranks 31st of 51 states for optometrists pay. There are 0.21 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $133,680, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,610 | $31.06 |
| 25th percentile | $103,720 | $49.87 |
| Median | $133,810 | $64.33 |
| 75th percentile | $159,870 | $76.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $175,270 | $84.26 |
| Average (mean) | $133,680 | $64.27 |
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 | $11,150.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,575.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,146.54 |
| Weekly | $2,573.27 |
| Hourly | $64.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in cities in Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $138,580 | 450 |
| Springfield, MO | $138,160 | 70 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $135,090 | 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 |
Related jobs in Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,780 | $39.32 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,930 | $62.47 |
| Pharmacist | $137,610 | $66.16 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,310 | $47.75 |
| Physicians, All Other | $227,980 | $109.61 |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,750 | $44.59 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $171,180 | $82.30 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,290 | $46.77 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $89,280 | $42.92 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,390 | $37.69 |
| Dentists, General | $204,960 | $98.54 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,130 | $64.96 |
| Veterinarian | $114,660 | $55.12 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,450 | $31.47 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for optometrists in Missouri is $133,810 a year, or $64.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $175,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Missouri?
The top 10% of optometrists in Missouri earn at least $175,270 a year. The top 25% earn $159,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,610 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $103,720 or less.
How many optometrists work in Missouri?
About 630 optometrists are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.