Optometrist salary in New York
Optometrists in New York earn a median of $161,140 a year ($77.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,390 workers.
Pay ranges from $95,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $203,040 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $136,570. New York ranks 5th of 51 states for optometrists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.25 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $153,130, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $95,460 | $45.89 |
| 25th percentile | $127,900 | $61.49 |
| Median | $161,140 | $77.47 |
| 75th percentile | $175,740 | $84.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $203,040 | $97.62 |
| Average (mean) | $153,130 | $73.62 |
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 | $13,428.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,714.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,197.69 |
| Weekly | $3,098.85 |
| Hourly | $77.47 |
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 York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $165,640 | 160 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $164,020 | 130 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $161,850 | 90 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $161,030 | 2,580 |
| Rochester, NY | $159,380 | 120 |
| Syracuse, NY | $153,790 | 100 |
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 York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $109,440 | $52.62 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $153,510 | $73.80 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,660 | $48.39 |
| Pharmacist | $142,090 | $68.31 |
| Physician Assistant | $160,880 | $77.35 |
| Physicians, All Other | $242,500 | $116.59 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $100,610 | $48.37 |
| Dental Hygienist | $106,130 | $51.03 |
| Occupational Therapist | $96,390 | $46.34 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $183,460 | $88.20 |
| Dentists, General | $183,060 | $88.01 |
| Anesthesiologist | $445,660 | $214.26 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $107,810 | $51.83 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $82,480 | $39.66 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 York?
The median salary for optometrists in New York is $161,140 a year, or $77.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $95,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $203,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in New York?
The top 10% of optometrists in New York earn at least $203,040 a year. The top 25% earn $175,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $95,460 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $127,900 or less.
How many optometrists work in New York?
About 2,390 optometrists are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.