Optometrist salary in Richmond, VA
Optometrists in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $131,080 a year ($63.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $191,770 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is about the same as the Virginia statewide median of $131,570. There are 0.28 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $145,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,000 | $30.77 |
| 25th percentile | $119,850 | $57.62 |
| Median | $131,080 | $63.02 |
| 75th percentile | $157,870 | $75.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $191,770 | $92.20 |
| Average (mean) | $145,700 | $70.05 |
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 | $10,923.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,461.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,041.54 |
| Weekly | $2,520.77 |
| Hourly | $63.02 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $154,690 | 770 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $150,420 | 50 |
| Roanoke, VA | $144,900 | 40 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $128,010 | 40 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $93,580 | $44.99 |
| Physicians, All Other | $284,090 | $136.58 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,820 | $61.45 |
| Pharmacist | $144,940 | $69.68 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,700 | $49.37 |
| Dental Hygienist | $104,250 | $50.12 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $96,080 | $46.19 |
| Occupational Therapist | $105,550 | $50.74 |
| Dentists, General | $218,880 | $105.23 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,750 | $39.31 |
| Physician Assistant | $126,810 | $60.97 |
| Veterinarian | $121,670 | $58.50 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $208,750 | $100.36 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $78,900 | $37.93 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for optometrists in the Richmond, VA metro area is $131,080 a year, or $63.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $191,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $191,770 a year. The top 25% earn $157,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,000 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $119,850 or less.
How many optometrists work in Richmond, VA?
About 180 optometrists are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.