Optometrist salary in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
Optometrists in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area earn a median of $133,820 a year ($64.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $96,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $173,810 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 1% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $135,400. There are 0.28 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $137,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $96,330 | $46.31 |
| 25th percentile | $110,970 | $53.35 |
| Median | $133,820 | $64.34 |
| 75th percentile | $162,620 | $78.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $173,810 | $83.56 |
| Average (mean) | $137,230 | $65.98 |
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 | $11,151.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,575.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,146.92 |
| Weekly | $2,573.46 |
| Hourly | $64.34 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $133,820 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $153,980 | 890 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $150,640 | 100 |
| Reading, PA | $139,400 | 40 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $134,990 | 80 |
| Erie, PA | $134,230 | 40 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $133,010 | 80 |
| Lancaster, PA | $132,360 | 60 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $129,900 | 340 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $96,770 | $46.52 |
| Physicians, All Other | $156,000 | $75.00 |
| Pharmacist | $135,480 | $65.14 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,160 | $48.15 |
| Physician Assistant | $123,110 | $59.19 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,670 | $63.79 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,240 | $47.23 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,750 | $37.86 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $89,650 | $43.10 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,100 | $40.43 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,930 | $31.70 |
| Veterinarian | $132,750 | $63.82 |
| Dentists, General | $193,760 | $93.15 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
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 Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
The median salary for optometrists in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area is $133,820 a year, or $64.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $96,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $173,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area earn at least $173,810 a year. The top 25% earn $162,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $96,330 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $110,970 or less.
How many optometrists work in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
About 90 optometrists are employed in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.