BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Optometrists in New York

$153,130 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$73.62 per hour

▲ 8.2% above U.S. average8th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$153,130per year
Median$161,140per year
Hourly$73.62per hour
10th – 90th percentile$95,460 – $203,040per year

Optometrists Pay Range in New York

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$95,460
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$127,900
  • 50th Percentile — Median$161,140
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$175,740
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$203,040

Half of Optometrists in New York earn more than $161,140. The top 10% make $203,040 or more, while entry-level workers start around $95,460.

Optometrists in New York: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • New York ranks 8th of 51 states for Optometrists pay, at $153,130 per year (8.2% above the U.S. average of $141,550).
  • 2,390 people work as Optometrists in New York — 5.6% of all U.S. Optometrists jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.90: Optometrists jobs are less concentrated in New York than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $95,460; the top 10% earn over $203,040.
  • Hourly equivalent: $73.62 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Alaska at $165,120.
  • Among healthcare jobs in New York, Anesthesiologists pays the most ($349,940).

Optometrists Job Market in New York

Key factors affecting compensation

New York's key industries are Finance, Technology, Media, and its job market is rated very strong. Optometrists here earn $153,130 on average, placing the state 8th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.38 (U.S. = 1.00), a New York salary of $153,130 is roughly equivalent to $110,964 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Maine ($160,730), Washington ($159,380), Virginia ($155,530) are the closest alternatives for Optometrists weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Optometrists salary in New York?

The average Optometrists salary in New York is $153,130 per year (median $161,140), which is 8.2% above the national average of $141,550.

How does New York rank for Optometrists pay?

New York ranks 8th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($165,120/yr).

How much do entry-level Optometrists make in New York?

The lowest-paid 10% of Optometrists in New York earn about $95,460 per year and the 25th percentile is $127,900.

How much do Optometrists make per hour in New York?

About $73.62 per hour, based on the $153,130 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Optometrists work in New York?

BLS counts 2,390 Optometrists jobs in New York (OEWS May 2025).

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