Optometrist salary in Huntsville, AL
Optometrists in the Huntsville, AL metro area earn a median of $161,170 a year ($77.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $199,050 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 11% higher than the Alabama statewide median of $145,090. There are 0.18 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $148,490, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Huntsville, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,670 | $35.90 |
| 25th percentile | $124,700 | $59.95 |
| Median | $161,170 | $77.49 |
| 75th percentile | $170,320 | $81.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $199,050 | $95.70 |
| Average (mean) | $148,490 | $71.39 |
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 | $13,430.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,715.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,198.85 |
| Weekly | $3,099.42 |
| Hourly | $77.49 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $161,170 salary, see how much house you can afford in Alabama 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | $162,890 | 110 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $160,680 | 40 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $121,830 | 30 |
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 Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Huntsville, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $77,090 | $37.06 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $103,900 | $49.95 |
| Pharmacist | $136,840 | $65.79 |
| Physicians, All Other | $357,010 | $171.64 |
| Dental Hygienist | $62,370 | $29.98 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,760 | $47.96 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $213,590 | $102.69 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $64,330 | $30.93 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $74,680 | $35.90 |
| Occupational Therapist | $93,620 | $45.01 |
| Veterinarian | $112,230 | $53.96 |
| Physician Assistant | $107,230 | $51.55 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $206,750 | $99.40 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $69,000 | $33.17 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Huntsville, AL
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 Huntsville, AL?
The median salary for optometrists in the Huntsville, AL metro area is $161,170 a year, or $77.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $199,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Huntsville, AL?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Huntsville, AL metro area earn at least $199,050 a year. The top 25% earn $170,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Huntsville, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,670 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $124,700 or less.
How many optometrists work in Huntsville, AL?
About 50 optometrists are employed in the Huntsville, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.