Optometrist salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Optometrists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $135,090 a year ($64.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $71,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $193,430 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 1% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $133,810. There are 0.26 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $138,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,500 | $34.38 |
| 25th percentile | $110,680 | $53.21 |
| Median | $135,090 | $64.95 |
| 75th percentile | $160,630 | $77.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $193,430 | $93.00 |
| Average (mean) | $138,520 | $66.59 |
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 | $11,257.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,628.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,195.77 |
| Weekly | $2,597.88 |
| Hourly | $64.95 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Peoria, IL | $166,600 | 50 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $145,630 | 1,160 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $138,580 | 450 |
| Springfield, MO | $138,160 | 70 |
| Bloomington, IL | $132,740 | 40 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $128,890 | 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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $83,180 | $39.99 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,580 | $63.26 |
| Pharmacist | $138,530 | $66.60 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,600 | $48.37 |
| Physicians, All Other | $246,440 | $118.48 |
| Dental Hygienist | $97,650 | $46.95 |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,770 | $46.04 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $76,830 | $36.94 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,480 | $41.58 |
| Physician Assistant | $136,120 | $65.44 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,210 | $38.08 |
| Dentists, General | $210,430 | $101.17 |
| Veterinarian | $122,460 | $58.87 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $70,360 | $33.83 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for optometrists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $135,090 a year, or $64.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $71,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $193,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of optometrists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $193,430 a year. The top 25% earn $160,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $71,500 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $110,680 or less.
How many optometrists work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 340 optometrists are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.