Optometrist salary in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
Optometrists in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area earn a median of $124,640 a year ($59.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,250 workers.
Pay ranges from $96,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,010 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 1% lower than the Texas statewide median of $126,000. There are 0.38 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $124,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $96,020 | $46.16 |
| 25th percentile | $103,720 | $49.87 |
| Median | $124,640 | $59.92 |
| 75th percentile | $146,950 | $70.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,010 | $77.89 |
| Average (mean) | $124,890 | $60.04 |
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 | $10,386.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,193.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,793.85 |
| Weekly | $2,396.92 |
| Hourly | $59.92 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $124,640 salary, see how much house you can afford in Texas 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Killeen-Temple, TX | $160,460 | 30 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $140,790 | 870 |
| Lubbock, TX | $140,070 | 60 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $138,120 | 70 |
| El Paso, TX | $132,240 | 70 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $131,060 | 40 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $130,460 | 350 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $130,450 | 50 |
| Amarillo, TX | $129,490 | 40 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | $128,500 | 40 |
| Longview, TX | $127,840 | 30 |
| Tyler, TX | $127,300 | 40 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $111,780 | 730 |
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 Texas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $99,830 | $48.00 |
| Physicians, All Other | $292,490 | $140.62 |
| Pharmacist | $140,470 | $67.54 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,560 | $64.69 |
| Physical Therapist | $107,700 | $51.78 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $100,400 | $48.27 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $80,450 | $38.68 |
| Dental Hygienist | $104,930 | $50.45 |
| Occupational Therapist | $103,580 | $49.80 |
| Physician Assistant | $137,240 | $65.98 |
| Dentists, General | $98,570 | $47.39 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $77,180 | $37.10 |
| Veterinarian | $132,280 | $63.59 |
| Anesthesiologist | $210,230 | $101.07 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
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 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
The median salary for optometrists in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area is $124,640 a year, or $59.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $96,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area earn at least $162,010 a year. The top 25% earn $146,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $96,020 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $103,720 or less.
How many optometrists work in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
About 1,250 optometrists are employed in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area, not counting the self-employed.