Optometrist salary in Portland-South Portland, ME
Optometrists in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area earn a median of $161,220 a year ($77.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $109,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $214,200 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 5% higher than the Maine statewide median of $154,110. There are 0.35 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $154,900, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Portland-South Portland, ME
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $109,170 | $52.48 |
| 25th percentile | $117,000 | $56.25 |
| Median | $161,220 | $77.51 |
| 75th percentile | $177,630 | $85.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $214,200 | $102.98 |
| Average (mean) | $154,900 | $74.47 |
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 | $13,435 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,717.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,200.77 |
| Weekly | $3,100.38 |
| Hourly | $77.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $161,220 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maine at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 Maine statewide figures.
Related jobs in Portland-South Portland, ME
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $88,470 | $42.53 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,820 | $49.43 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,240 | $62.62 |
| Physicians, All Other | $442,790 | $212.88 |
| Pharmacist | $140,620 | $67.61 |
| Occupational Therapist | $86,530 | $41.60 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,880 | $47.54 |
| Physician Assistant | $131,180 | $63.07 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $237,200 | $114.04 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $64,610 | $31.06 |
| Veterinarian | $130,990 | $62.98 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $87,120 | $41.89 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $86,440 | $41.56 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $256,620 | $123.38 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Portland-South Portland, ME
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 Portland-South Portland, ME?
The median salary for optometrists in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area is $161,220 a year, or $77.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $109,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $214,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Portland-South Portland, ME?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area earn at least $214,200 a year. The top 25% earn $177,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Portland-South Portland, ME?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $109,170 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $117,000 or less.
How many optometrists work in Portland-South Portland, ME?
About 100 optometrists are employed in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area, not counting the self-employed.