📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Optometrist Salary in New York (2026)

New York · 38.0% above national average · High Demand

Average
$173,314
per year
Median
$165,572
per year
Hourly
$83.32
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
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Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$101,766
25th Percentile — Junior$136,448
50th Percentile — Median$165,572
75th Percentile — Senior$214,483
90th Percentile — Top Earners$245,186
💡 Top-earning Optometrists in New York make up to $245,186 per year. The job market in New York is rated very strong, with key industries including Finance, Technology, Media.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$148.1k
2021
$152.8k
2022
$157.7k
2023
$162.7k
2024
$167.9k
2025
$173.3k
2026
📈 Optometrist salaries in New York have followed the national trend with 3.2% annual growth. The strong demand in New York's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Optometrist Salary by City in New York
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
New York City $285,968 +65.0% High
Buffalo $159,449 -8.0% High
Yonkers $239,173 +38.0% High
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Optometrist Job Market in New York
Key factors affecting compensation

New York is home to a very strong job market for Optometrists. The state's key industries — Finance, Technology, Media — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $173,314 per year, New York's Optometrist salaries are 38.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in New York (index: 1.38) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in New York can expect to earn $101,766–$136,448, while experienced Optometrists can command $214,483–$245,186.

Looking ahead, the Optometrist profession in New York is projected to grow at 3.2% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Finance continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Optometrist salary in New York is $173,314 per year in 2026, which is 38.0% above the national average of $125,590.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Optometrists the highest wages in New York due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • New York has a very strong job market with major industries in Finance, Technology, Media. This makes it one of the better states for Optometrist employment.
  • At $173,314/year, New York Optometrist salaries are 38.0% higher than the national average of $125,590/year.