Optometrist salary in Roanoke, VA
Optometrists in the Roanoke, VA metro area earn a median of $144,900 a year ($69.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $393,120 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 10% higher than 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 $219,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Roanoke, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,820 | $29.24 |
| 25th percentile | $103,850 | $49.93 |
| Median | $144,900 | $69.66 |
| 75th percentile | $235,980 | $113.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $393,120 | $189.00 |
| Average (mean) | $219,610 | $105.58 |
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 | $12,075 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,037.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,573.08 |
| Weekly | $2,786.54 |
| Hourly | $69.66 |
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 |
| Richmond, VA | $131,080 | 180 |
| 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 Roanoke, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $80,090 | $38.51 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,920 | $64.87 |
| Pharmacist | $133,980 | $64.41 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,940 | $65.36 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,770 | $47.49 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $224,410 | $107.89 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,820 | $37.89 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,010 | $47.12 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,550 | $47.38 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $69,780 | $33.55 |
| Veterinarian | $121,940 | $58.63 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $227,320 | $109.29 |
| Obstetricians and Gynecologists | $346,900 | $166.78 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Roanoke, 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 Roanoke, VA?
The median salary for optometrists in the Roanoke, VA metro area is $144,900 a year, or $69.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $393,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Roanoke, VA?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Roanoke, VA metro area earn at least $393,120 a year. The top 25% earn $235,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Roanoke, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,820 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $103,850 or less.
How many optometrists work in Roanoke, VA?
About 40 optometrists are employed in the Roanoke, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.