Optometrist salary in Lexington-Fayette, KY
Optometrists in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median of $139,060 a year ($66.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $276,860 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 8% higher than the Kentucky statewide median of $128,860. There are 0.14 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.50). The average (mean) salary is $144,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,920 | $37.94 |
| 25th percentile | $93,580 | $44.99 |
| Median | $139,060 | $66.85 |
| 75th percentile | $175,660 | $84.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $276,860 | $133.11 |
| Average (mean) | $144,780 | $69.61 |
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 | $11,588.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,794.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,348.46 |
| Weekly | $2,674.23 |
| Hourly | $66.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $139,060 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $156,990 | 300 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $135,720 | 230 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $132,200 | 30 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $103,670 | 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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $79,040 | $38.00 |
| Pharmacist | $136,530 | $65.64 |
| Physicians, All Other | $283,730 | $136.41 |
| Physical Therapist | $94,710 | $45.54 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $123,070 | $59.17 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $180,790 | $86.92 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $80,040 | $38.48 |
| Dental Hygienist | $80,110 | $38.51 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $87,470 | $42.05 |
| Surgeons, All Other | $128,960 | $62.00 |
| Veterinarian | $109,050 | $52.43 |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,820 | $46.07 |
| Physician Assistant | $112,230 | $53.96 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $242,700 | $116.68 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Lexington-Fayette, KY
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 Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The median salary for optometrists in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $139,060 a year, or $66.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $276,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn at least $276,860 a year. The top 25% earn $175,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,920 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $93,580 or less.
How many optometrists work in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
About 40 optometrists are employed in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.