Optometrist salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Optometrists in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median of $129,900 a year ($62.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $94,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,650 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 4% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $135,400. There are 0.31 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $132,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Pittsburgh, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $94,760 | $45.56 |
| 25th percentile | $117,600 | $56.54 |
| Median | $129,900 | $62.45 |
| 75th percentile | $159,810 | $76.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $164,650 | $79.16 |
| Average (mean) | $132,850 | $63.87 |
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 | $10,825 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,412.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,996.15 |
| Weekly | $2,498.08 |
| Hourly | $62.45 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
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 |
See Optometrist pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $82,370 | $39.60 |
| Physicians, All Other | $187,680 | $90.23 |
| Pharmacist | $134,180 | $64.51 |
| Physician Assistant | $125,230 | $60.21 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,750 | $46.99 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $119,630 | $57.52 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $275,930 | $132.66 |
| Dental Hygienist | $75,960 | $36.52 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $81,810 | $39.33 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $75,470 | $36.28 |
| Occupational Therapist | $90,860 | $43.68 |
| Dentists, General | $155,250 | $74.64 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $67,260 | $32.34 |
| Veterinarian | $128,290 | $61.68 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Pittsburgh, PA
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 Pittsburgh, PA?
The median salary for optometrists in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $129,900 a year, or $62.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $94,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn at least $164,650 a year. The top 25% earn $159,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Pittsburgh, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $94,760 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $117,600 or less.
How many optometrists work in Pittsburgh, PA?
About 340 optometrists are employed in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.