Optometrist salary in Fort Collins-Loveland, CO
Optometrists in the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro area earn a median of $163,240 a year ($78.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $104,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $320,350 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 7% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $152,000. There are 0.46 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $183,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Fort Collins-Loveland, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $104,210 | $50.10 |
| 25th percentile | $131,290 | $63.12 |
| Median | $163,240 | $78.48 |
| 75th percentile | $239,810 | $115.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $320,350 | $154.02 |
| Average (mean) | $183,350 | $88.15 |
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 | $13,603.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,801.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,278.46 |
| Weekly | $3,139.23 |
| Hourly | $78.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $163,240 salary, see how much house you can afford in Colorado 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $158,130 | 470 |
| Boulder, CO | $153,500 | 60 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $131,980 | 100 |
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 Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Collins-Loveland, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist | $106,650 | $51.27 |
| Veterinarian | $112,450 | $54.06 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,330 | $62.66 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $231,750 | $111.42 |
| Physicians, All Other | $298,320 | $143.42 |
| Dermatologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $125,320 | $60.25 |
| Audiologist | $74,340 | $35.74 |
| Dentists, General | $180,210 | $86.64 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $74,530 | $35.83 |
| Occupational Therapist | $102,550 | $49.30 |
| Pharmacist | $149,410 | $71.83 |
| Physical Therapist | $86,840 | $41.75 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,260 | $64.55 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Fort Collins-Loveland, CO
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 Fort Collins-Loveland, CO?
The median salary for optometrists in the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro area is $163,240 a year, or $78.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $104,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $320,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Fort Collins-Loveland, CO?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro area earn at least $320,350 a year. The top 25% earn $239,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Fort Collins-Loveland, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $104,210 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $131,290 or less.
How many optometrists work in Fort Collins-Loveland, CO?
About 80 optometrists are employed in the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.