Optometrist salary in New Mexico
Optometrists in New Mexico earn a median of $144,660 a year ($69.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $88,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $202,980 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $136,570. New Mexico ranks 18th of 51 states for optometrists pay. There are 0.15 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53). The average (mean) salary is $153,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $88,160 | $42.39 |
| 25th percentile | $109,260 | $52.53 |
| Median | $144,660 | $69.55 |
| 75th percentile | $178,060 | $85.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $202,980 | $97.59 |
| Average (mean) | $153,180 | $73.64 |
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 | $12,055 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,027.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,563.85 |
| Weekly | $2,781.92 |
| Hourly | $69.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in cities in New Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | $165,810 | 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 New Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $94,340 | $45.36 |
| Physicians, All Other | $327,670 | $157.54 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $137,520 | $66.11 |
| Pharmacist | $147,000 | $70.67 |
| Dental Hygienist | $95,940 | $46.12 |
| Physical Therapist | $106,880 | $51.38 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $98,690 | $47.45 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,170 | $47.68 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $68,870 | $33.11 |
| Dentists, General | $155,260 | $74.64 |
| Physician Assistant | $139,920 | $67.27 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $228,040 | $109.64 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $74,730 | $35.93 |
| Veterinarian | $129,390 | $62.21 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in New Mexico
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 New Mexico?
The median salary for optometrists in New Mexico is $144,660 a year, or $69.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $88,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $202,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of optometrists in New Mexico earn at least $202,980 a year. The top 25% earn $178,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $88,160 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $109,260 or less.
How many optometrists work in New Mexico?
About 130 optometrists are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.