Optometrist salary in Montana
Optometrists in Montana earn a median of $104,280 a year ($50.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $163,030 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $136,570. Montana ranks 48th of 51 states for optometrists pay. There are 0.28 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $106,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,450 | $28.10 |
| 25th percentile | $60,870 | $29.27 |
| Median | $104,280 | $50.14 |
| 75th percentile | $132,580 | $63.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $163,030 | $78.38 |
| Average (mean) | $106,200 | $51.06 |
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 | $8,690 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,345 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,010.77 |
| Weekly | $2,005.38 |
| Hourly | $50.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $85,280 | $41.00 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $137,210 | $65.97 |
| Pharmacist | $142,080 | $68.31 |
| Physical Therapist | $91,450 | $43.97 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,440 | $47.33 |
| Physician Assistant | $141,470 | $68.02 |
| Physicians, All Other | $438,850 | $210.99 |
| Veterinarian | $99,390 | $47.78 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,740 | $37.86 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $330,760 | $159.02 |
| Occupational Therapist | $88,990 | $42.79 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,190 | $39.03 |
| Dentists, General | $167,200 | $80.39 |
| Chiropractor | $76,120 | $36.60 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for optometrists in Montana is $104,280 a year, or $50.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $163,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Montana?
The top 10% of optometrists in Montana earn at least $163,030 a year. The top 25% earn $132,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,450 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $60,870 or less.
How many optometrists work in Montana?
About 140 optometrists are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.