Optometrist salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Optometrists in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median of $144,270 a year ($69.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $173,240 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 13% lower than the Maryland statewide median of $165,840. There are 0.24 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $124,990, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,260 | $23.69 |
| 25th percentile | $64,720 | $31.11 |
| Median | $144,270 | $69.36 |
| 75th percentile | $169,230 | $81.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $173,240 | $83.29 |
| Average (mean) | $124,990 | $60.09 |
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 | $12,022.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,011.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,548.85 |
| Weekly | $2,774.42 |
| Hourly | $69.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $144,270 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maryland at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Optometrist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $154,690 | 770 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $153,980 | 890 |
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 |
See Optometrist pay in every state or the Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $99,550 | $47.86 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,990 | $63.46 |
| Physicians, All Other | $218,770 | $105.18 |
| Pharmacist | $138,110 | $66.40 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $322,890 | $155.24 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,810 | $50.87 |
| Dental Hygienist | $116,130 | $55.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $101,160 | $48.64 |
| Physician Assistant | $138,790 | $66.73 |
| Occupational Therapist | $105,490 | $50.72 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $88,020 | $42.32 |
| Dentists, General | $172,110 | $82.74 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $75,970 | $36.53 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $307,400 | $147.79 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
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 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median salary for optometrists in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $144,270 a year, or $69.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $173,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn at least $173,240 a year. The top 25% earn $169,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,260 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $64,720 or less.
How many optometrists work in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
About 330 optometrists are employed in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.