Optometrist salary in Tucson, AZ
Optometrists in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median of $157,650 a year ($75.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $97,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,070 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 29% higher than the Arizona statewide median of $122,250. There are 0.21 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $144,750, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Tucson, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $97,750 | $47.00 |
| 25th percentile | $101,460 | $48.78 |
| Median | $157,650 | $75.79 |
| 75th percentile | $159,530 | $76.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $169,070 | $81.29 |
| Average (mean) | $144,750 | $69.59 |
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 | $13,137.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,568.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,063.46 |
| Weekly | $3,031.73 |
| Hourly | $75.79 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $115,960 | 860 |
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $94,110 | $45.25 |
| Pharmacist | $147,420 | $70.87 |
| Physicians, All Other | $357,070 | $171.67 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,340 | $62.18 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,420 | $49.24 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,320 | $37.66 |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,740 | $46.51 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $95,450 | $45.89 |
| Dentists, General | $182,200 | $87.59 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $264,320 | $127.08 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,920 | $48.52 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $227,940 | $109.59 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,880 | $62.44 |
| Veterinarian | $131,540 | $63.24 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Tucson, AZ
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 Tucson, AZ?
The median salary for optometrists in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $157,650 a year, or $75.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $97,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Tucson, AZ?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn at least $169,070 a year. The top 25% earn $159,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Tucson, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $97,750 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $101,460 or less.
How many optometrists work in Tucson, AZ?
About 80 optometrists are employed in the Tucson, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.