Optometrist salary in Virginia
Optometrists in Virginia earn a median of $131,570 a year ($63.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,110 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $235,980 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $136,570. Virginia ranks 34th of 51 states for optometrists pay. There are 0.27 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $155,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,430 | $30.01 |
| 25th percentile | $106,900 | $51.40 |
| Median | $131,570 | $63.25 |
| 75th percentile | $163,890 | $78.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $235,980 | $113.45 |
| Average (mean) | $155,530 | $74.78 |
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 | $10,964.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,482.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,060.38 |
| Weekly | $2,530.19 |
| Hourly | $63.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in cities in Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $154,690 | 770 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $150,420 | 50 |
| Roanoke, VA | $144,900 | 40 |
| Richmond, VA | $131,080 | 180 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $128,010 | 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 |
Related jobs in Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $93,600 | $45.00 |
| Physicians, All Other | $278,530 | $133.91 |
| Pharmacist | $144,060 | $69.26 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,450 | $48.78 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,810 | $61.45 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $96,250 | $46.27 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,940 | $65.36 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,710 | $48.42 |
| Dentists, General | $197,110 | $94.76 |
| Dental Hygienist | $102,950 | $49.50 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $82,910 | $39.86 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $222,630 | $107.03 |
| Veterinarian | $126,730 | $60.93 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $77,380 | $37.20 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for optometrists in Virginia is $131,570 a year, or $63.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $235,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Virginia?
The top 10% of optometrists in Virginia earn at least $235,980 a year. The top 25% earn $163,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,430 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $106,900 or less.
How many optometrists work in Virginia?
About 1,110 optometrists are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.