Optometrist salary in Nebraska
Optometrists in Nebraska earn a median of $125,040 a year ($60.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $205,450 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $136,570. Nebraska ranks 40th of 51 states for optometrists pay. There are 0.33 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $132,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Nebraska
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| 25th percentile | $76,020 | $36.55 |
| Median | $125,040 | $60.12 |
| 75th percentile | $162,760 | $78.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $205,450 | $98.77 |
| Average (mean) | $132,660 | $63.78 |
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 | $10,420 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,210 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,809.23 |
| Weekly | $2,404.62 |
| Hourly | $60.12 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in cities in Nebraska
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $127,110 | 140 |
| Lincoln, NE | $126,510 | 70 |
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 Nebraska
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,730 | $40.74 |
| Pharmacist | $139,330 | $66.99 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,130 | $63.52 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,090 | $46.68 |
| Occupational Therapist | $93,740 | $45.07 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,040 | $63.96 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $84,350 | $40.55 |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,580 | $44.51 |
| Physicians, All Other | $290,470 | $139.65 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $221,360 | $106.42 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,590 | $39.22 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $228,590 | $109.90 |
| Dentists, General | $179,750 | $86.42 |
| Veterinarian | $103,500 | $49.76 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Nebraska
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 Nebraska?
The median salary for optometrists in Nebraska is $125,040 a year, or $60.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $205,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Nebraska?
The top 10% of optometrists in Nebraska earn at least $205,450 a year. The top 25% earn $162,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Nebraska?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,170 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $76,020 or less.
How many optometrists work in Nebraska?
About 340 optometrists are employed in Nebraska, not counting the self-employed.