Optometrist salary in Pennsylvania
Optometrists in Pennsylvania earn a median of $135,400 a year ($65.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,720 workers.
Pay ranges from $92,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $173,380 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $136,570. Pennsylvania ranks 26th 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 $139,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $92,970 | $44.70 |
| 25th percentile | $110,990 | $53.36 |
| Median | $135,400 | $65.10 |
| 75th percentile | $163,890 | $78.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $173,380 | $83.35 |
| Average (mean) | $139,660 | $67.15 |
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 | $11,283.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,641.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,207.69 |
| Weekly | $2,603.85 |
| Hourly | $65.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in cities in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $153,980 | 890 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $150,640 | 100 |
| Reading, PA | $139,400 | 40 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $134,990 | 80 |
| Erie, PA | $134,230 | 40 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $133,820 | 90 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $133,010 | 80 |
| Lancaster, PA | $132,360 | 60 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $129,900 | 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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $96,430 | $46.36 |
| Physicians, All Other | $217,310 | $104.48 |
| Pharmacist | $138,160 | $66.42 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,380 | $48.74 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,140 | $62.57 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,070 | $61.09 |
| Dental Hygienist | $80,610 | $38.76 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $92,960 | $44.69 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,440 | $47.33 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,490 | $37.74 |
| Dentists, General | $163,390 | $78.56 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $67,410 | $32.41 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $306,030 | $147.13 |
| Veterinarian | $133,520 | $64.19 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for optometrists in Pennsylvania is $135,400 a year, or $65.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $92,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $173,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of optometrists in Pennsylvania earn at least $173,380 a year. The top 25% earn $163,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $92,970 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $110,990 or less.
How many optometrists work in Pennsylvania?
About 1,720 optometrists are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.