Optometrist salary in Texas
Optometrists in Texas earn a median of $126,000 a year ($60.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,110 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,420 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $136,570. Texas ranks 37th of 51 states for optometrists pay. There are 0.29 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $124,760, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Texas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,180 | $26.05 |
| 25th percentile | $101,700 | $48.90 |
| Median | $126,000 | $60.58 |
| 75th percentile | $155,090 | $74.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $164,420 | $79.05 |
| Average (mean) | $124,760 | $59.98 |
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 | $10,500 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,250 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,846.15 |
| Weekly | $2,423.08 |
| Hourly | $60.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in cities in Texas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Killeen-Temple, TX | $160,460 | 30 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $140,790 | 870 |
| Lubbock, TX | $140,070 | 60 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $138,120 | 70 |
| El Paso, TX | $132,240 | 70 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $131,060 | 40 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $130,460 | 350 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $130,450 | 50 |
| Amarillo, TX | $129,490 | 40 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | $128,500 | 40 |
| Longview, TX | $127,840 | 30 |
| Tyler, TX | $127,300 | 40 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $124,640 | 1,250 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $111,780 | 730 |
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 |
Related jobs in Texas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $95,970 | $46.14 |
| Physicians, All Other | $269,800 | $129.71 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,670 | $63.31 |
| Pharmacist | $138,260 | $66.47 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,810 | $50.87 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $99,910 | $48.03 |
| Dental Hygienist | $99,240 | $47.71 |
| Occupational Therapist | $106,140 | $51.03 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,540 | $38.24 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,550 | $64.69 |
| Dentists, General | $162,360 | $78.06 |
| Veterinarian | $131,330 | $63.14 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $235,710 | $113.32 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $74,440 | $35.79 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Texas
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 Texas?
The median salary for optometrists in Texas is $126,000 a year, or $60.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Texas?
The top 10% of optometrists in Texas earn at least $164,420 a year. The top 25% earn $155,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Texas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,180 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $101,700 or less.
How many optometrists work in Texas?
About 4,110 optometrists are employed in Texas, not counting the self-employed.