Optometrist salary in Rochester, NY
Optometrists in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $159,380 a year ($76.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $99,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $187,690 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 1% lower than the New York statewide median of $161,140. There are 0.25 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $145,460, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $99,030 | $47.61 |
| 25th percentile | $126,580 | $60.86 |
| Median | $159,380 | $76.62 |
| 75th percentile | $167,840 | $80.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $187,690 | $90.24 |
| Average (mean) | $145,460 | $69.93 |
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 | $13,281.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,640.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,130 |
| Weekly | $3,065 |
| Hourly | $76.62 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $165,640 | 160 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $164,020 | 130 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $161,850 | 90 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $161,030 | 2,580 |
| Syracuse, NY | $153,790 | 100 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $86,570 | $41.62 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,110 | $61.59 |
| Physician Assistant | $130,430 | $62.71 |
| Physical Therapist | $83,070 | $39.94 |
| Pharmacist | $136,310 | $65.54 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $80,220 | $38.57 |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,650 | $45.02 |
| Occupational Therapist | $81,750 | $39.30 |
| Physicians, All Other | $214,550 | $103.15 |
| Dentists, General | $167,480 | $80.52 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $82,990 | $39.90 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $78,990 | $37.98 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,010 | $35.10 |
| Anesthesiologist | $366,040 | $175.98 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, NY
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 Rochester, NY?
The median salary for optometrists in the Rochester, NY metro area is $159,380 a year, or $76.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $99,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $187,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $187,690 a year. The top 25% earn $167,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $99,030 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $126,580 or less.
How many optometrists work in Rochester, NY?
About 120 optometrists are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.