Optometrist salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Optometrists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $167,810 a year ($80.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 420 workers.
Pay ranges from $121,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $227,540 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 7% higher than the Washington statewide median of $157,560. There are 0.20 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $171,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $121,350 | $58.34 |
| 25th percentile | $134,630 | $64.72 |
| Median | $167,810 | $80.68 |
| 75th percentile | $200,830 | $96.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $227,540 | $109.39 |
| Average (mean) | $171,750 | $82.57 |
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 | $13,984.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,992.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,454.23 |
| Weekly | $3,227.12 |
| Hourly | $80.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $167,810 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $149,510 | 30 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $142,720 | 40 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $136,250 | 350 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $126,180 | 60 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $128,260 | $61.66 |
| Pharmacist | $162,870 | $78.30 |
| Physicians, All Other | $330,560 | $158.92 |
| Dental Hygienist | $133,740 | $64.30 |
| Physical Therapist | $107,290 | $51.58 |
| Occupational Therapist | $109,860 | $52.82 |
| Dentists, General | $161,270 | $77.54 |
| Physician Assistant | $167,290 | $80.43 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $108,690 | $52.25 |
| Veterinarian | $163,810 | $78.76 |
| Radiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Respiratory Therapist | $104,220 | $50.11 |
| Anesthesiologist | $646,930 | $311.02 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $87,580 | $42.11 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for optometrists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $167,810 a year, or $80.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $121,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $227,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $227,540 a year. The top 25% earn $200,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $121,350 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $134,630 or less.
How many optometrists work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 420 optometrists are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.