Optometrists
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Optometrists in the United States earn a median salary of $136,570 per year — about $66 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 48K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +8%.
AI & Automation Risk
Optometry is a hybrid of physical clinical procedures and high-level data analysis. AI is highly effective at analyzing retinal scans and diagnostic data to identify diseases, which will significantly augment the diagnostic process; however, the core role requires physical presence for eye exams, minor surgical procedures, and the fitting of corrective lenses, which provides a strong buffer against full automation.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MNBEST VALUE | $175,810 | Below avg (90.6) | $194,070 |
| Peoria, IL | $166,600 | Below avg (88.8) | $187,541 |
| Dover, DE | $165,660 | Below avg (91.9) | $180,206 |
| Birmingham, AL | $162,890 | Below avg (91.8) | $177,508 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $162,540 | Below avg (91.6) | $177,442 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $165,810 | Below avg (93.6) | $177,096 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $150,420 | Below avg (85.0) | $176,990 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $165,640 | Below avg (94.9) | $174,503 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | $160,460 | Below avg (92.3) | $173,782 |
| Asheville, NC | $167,980 | Average (97.4) | $172,478 |
| Huntsville, AL | $161,170 | Below avg (93.8) | $171,807 |
| Wilmington, NC | $163,800 | Below avg (95.4) | $171,623 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $166,880 | Average (97.3) | $171,428 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $160,680 | Below avg (94.2) | $170,582 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $163,240 | Average (97.3) | $167,756 |