Optometrist salary in Syracuse, NY
Optometrists in the Syracuse, NY metro area earn a median of $153,790 a year ($73.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $100,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $350,060 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 5% lower than the New York statewide median of $161,140. There are 0.32 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $170,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Syracuse, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $100,930 | $48.52 |
| 25th percentile | $110,820 | $53.28 |
| Median | $153,790 | $73.94 |
| 75th percentile | $190,430 | $91.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $350,060 | $168.30 |
| Average (mean) | $170,410 | $81.93 |
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 | $12,815.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,407.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,915 |
| Weekly | $2,957.50 |
| Hourly | $73.94 |
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 |
| Rochester, NY | $159,380 | 120 |
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 Syracuse, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $86,960 | $41.81 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,010 | $63.47 |
| Pharmacist | $149,510 | $71.88 |
| Physical Therapist | $92,080 | $44.27 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,000 | $63.94 |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,640 | $45.02 |
| Physicians, All Other | $286,920 | $137.94 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $85,120 | $40.93 |
| Occupational Therapist | $86,110 | $41.40 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $85,860 | $41.28 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $269,270 | $129.46 |
| Dentists, General | $191,830 | $92.23 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $181,980 | $87.49 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $78,460 | $37.72 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Syracuse, 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 Syracuse, NY?
The median salary for optometrists in the Syracuse, NY metro area is $153,790 a year, or $73.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $100,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $350,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Syracuse, NY?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Syracuse, NY metro area earn at least $350,060 a year. The top 25% earn $190,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Syracuse, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $100,930 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $110,820 or less.
How many optometrists work in Syracuse, NY?
About 100 optometrists are employed in the Syracuse, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.