Optometrist salary in Reading, PA
Optometrists in the Reading, PA metro area earn a median of $139,400 a year ($67.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $86,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $188,590 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 3% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $135,400. There are 0.21 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $141,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Reading, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $86,780 | $41.72 |
| 25th percentile | $126,850 | $60.99 |
| Median | $139,400 | $67.02 |
| 75th percentile | $162,980 | $78.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $188,590 | $90.67 |
| Average (mean) | $141,700 | $68.12 |
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 | $11,616.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,808.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,361.54 |
| Weekly | $2,680.77 |
| Hourly | $67.02 |
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 |
| 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 |
See Optometrist pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Reading, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $98,470 | $47.34 |
| Physicians, All Other | $77,820 | $37.41 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $135,390 | $65.09 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,950 | $49.49 |
| Pharmacist | $143,210 | $68.85 |
| Dental Hygienist | $80,300 | $38.61 |
| Physician Assistant | $130,160 | $62.58 |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,470 | $45.90 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $92,930 | $44.68 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $84,330 | $40.54 |
| Dentists, General | $151,850 | $73.01 |
| Veterinarian | $133,110 | $64.00 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $71,480 | $34.37 |
| Chiropractor | $73,570 | $35.37 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Reading, 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 Reading, PA?
The median salary for optometrists in the Reading, PA metro area is $139,400 a year, or $67.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $86,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $188,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Reading, PA?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Reading, PA metro area earn at least $188,590 a year. The top 25% earn $162,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Reading, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $86,780 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $126,850 or less.
How many optometrists work in Reading, PA?
About 40 optometrists are employed in the Reading, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.