Optometrist salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Optometrists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $154,690 a year ($74.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 770 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $224,040 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 15% higher than the District of Columbia statewide median of $134,840. There are 0.24 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $151,330, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,120 | $26.02 |
| 25th percentile | $98,490 | $47.35 |
| Median | $154,690 | $74.37 |
| 75th percentile | $201,810 | $97.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $224,040 | $107.71 |
| Average (mean) | $151,330 | $72.76 |
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 | $12,890.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,445.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,949.62 |
| Weekly | $2,974.81 |
| Hourly | $74.37 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $154,690 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $153,980 | 890 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $150,420 | 50 |
| Roanoke, VA | $144,900 | 40 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $144,270 | 330 |
| Richmond, VA | $131,080 | 180 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $128,010 | 40 |
| 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 District of Columbia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $102,710 | $49.38 |
| Physicians, All Other | $208,710 | $100.34 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $166,230 | $79.92 |
| Pharmacist | $150,540 | $72.38 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,840 | $64.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $99,960 | $48.06 |
| Dentists, General | $184,540 | $88.72 |
| Physician Assistant | $148,200 | $71.25 |
| Occupational Therapist | $102,960 | $49.50 |
| Dental Hygienist | $119,170 | $57.30 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $101,990 | $49.03 |
| Veterinarian | $154,350 | $74.21 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $225,140 | $108.24 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for optometrists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $154,690 a year, or $74.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $224,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $224,040 a year. The top 25% earn $201,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,120 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $98,490 or less.
How many optometrists work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 770 optometrists are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.