Optometrist salary in West Virginia
Optometrists in West Virginia earn a median of $118,010 a year ($56.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $69,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $198,570 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $136,570. West Virginia ranks 45th of 51 states for optometrists pay. There are 0.22 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $130,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,830 | $33.57 |
| 25th percentile | $98,710 | $47.46 |
| Median | $118,010 | $56.74 |
| 75th percentile | $161,820 | $77.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $198,570 | $95.47 |
| Average (mean) | $130,750 | $62.86 |
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 | $9,834.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,917.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,538.85 |
| Weekly | $2,269.42 |
| Hourly | $56.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in cities in West Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $154,690 | 770 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $103,670 | 30 |
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 West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $80,130 | $38.52 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,320 | $61.21 |
| Pharmacist | $133,430 | $64.15 |
| Physicians, All Other | $258,020 | $124.05 |
| Physical Therapist | $96,600 | $46.44 |
| Dental Hygienist | $73,840 | $35.50 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $68,670 | $33.01 |
| Physician Assistant | $128,610 | $61.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $80,970 | $38.93 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $278,530 | $133.91 |
| Occupational Therapist | $96,190 | $46.25 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $72,680 | $34.94 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $89,440 | $43.00 |
| Dentists, General | $170,370 | $81.91 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in West 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 West Virginia?
The median salary for optometrists in West Virginia is $118,010 a year, or $56.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $69,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $198,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of optometrists in West Virginia earn at least $198,570 a year. The top 25% earn $161,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $69,830 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $98,710 or less.
How many optometrists work in West Virginia?
About 150 optometrists are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.