Optometrist salary in Washington
Optometrists in Washington earn a median of $157,560 a year ($75.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 760 workers.
Pay ranges from $103,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $217,900 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $136,570. Washington ranks 8th of 51 states for optometrists pay. There are 0.21 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $159,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $103,880 | $49.94 |
| 25th percentile | $126,730 | $60.93 |
| Median | $157,560 | $75.75 |
| 75th percentile | $171,200 | $82.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $217,900 | $104.76 |
| Average (mean) | $159,380 | $76.62 |
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 | $13,130 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,565 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,060 |
| Weekly | $3,030 |
| Hourly | $75.75 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $167,810 | 420 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $149,510 | 30 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $142,720 | 40 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $136,250 | 350 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $126,180 | 60 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $124,200 | $59.71 |
| Pharmacist | $160,610 | $77.22 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $156,100 | $75.05 |
| Dental Hygienist | $131,160 | $63.06 |
| Physicians, All Other | $307,170 | $147.68 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,950 | $50.94 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $105,550 | $50.74 |
| Physician Assistant | $164,360 | $79.02 |
| Occupational Therapist | $107,670 | $51.77 |
| Dentists, General | $169,730 | $81.60 |
| Veterinarian | $160,510 | $77.17 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $101,130 | $48.62 |
| Anesthesiologist | $499,990 | $240.38 |
| Radiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for optometrists in Washington is $157,560 a year, or $75.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $103,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $217,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Washington?
The top 10% of optometrists in Washington earn at least $217,900 a year. The top 25% earn $171,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $103,880 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $126,730 or less.
How many optometrists work in Washington?
About 760 optometrists are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.