Optometrist salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
Optometrists in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn a median of $135,720 a year ($65.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $96,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $197,330 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 5% higher than the Kentucky statewide median of $128,860. There are 0.33 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $147,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $96,370 | $46.33 |
| 25th percentile | $127,620 | $61.36 |
| Median | $135,720 | $65.25 |
| 75th percentile | $159,680 | $76.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $197,330 | $94.87 |
| Average (mean) | $147,250 | $70.79 |
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 | $11,310 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,655 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,220 |
| Weekly | $2,610 |
| Hourly | $65.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $135,720 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 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $145,630 | 1,160 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $139,060 | 40 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $138,360 | 30 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $137,590 | 340 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $134,830 | 50 |
| Evansville, IN | $133,800 | 40 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $132,200 | 30 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $129,390 | 60 |
| 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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,850 | $40.79 |
| Pharmacist | $143,920 | $69.19 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $122,900 | $59.09 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,260 | $49.17 |
| Physicians, All Other | $335,670 | $161.38 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $76,560 | $36.81 |
| Dental Hygienist | $81,390 | $39.13 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $222,520 | $106.98 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,040 | $48.10 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $103,420 | $49.72 |
| Anesthesiologist | $491,640 | $236.37 |
| Physician Assistant | $130,830 | $62.90 |
| Veterinarian | $108,000 | $51.92 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,810 | $35.49 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The median salary for optometrists in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area is $135,720 a year, or $65.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $96,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $197,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn at least $197,330 a year. The top 25% earn $159,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $96,370 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $127,620 or less.
How many optometrists work in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
About 230 optometrists are employed in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.