Optometrist salary in New York
What optometrists earn in New York and its metro areas, compared with the rest of the country.
Median pay$161,140$77.47 per hour
vs U.S.+18%U.S. median $136,570
Middle half earn$127,900 – $175,740Top 10%: $203,040+
Jobs2,3900.90× the U.S. concentration
Optometrist pay in New York cities
Metro areas as BLS defines them. Click a column to sort.
| Metro area | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $161,030 | $77.42 | 2,580 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $165,640 | $79.63 | 160 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $164,020 | $78.85 | 130 |
| Rochester, NY | $159,380 | $76.62 | 120 |
| Syracuse, NY | $153,790 | $73.94 | 100 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $161,850 | $77.81 | 90 |
| Southwest New York nonmetropolitan area | $135,600 | $65.19 | 80 |
Hospitals and jobs in New York
Optometrist pay in similar states
Maryland · $165,840 North Carolina · $161,560 Delaware · $161,270 New Jersey · $159,040 Minnesota · $158,700 Washington · $157,560
Other healthcare salaries in New York
Home Health and Personal Care Aides · $39,620 Registered Nurses · $109,440 Nursing Assistants · $48,590 Medical Assistants · $48,000 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses · $67,180 Pharmacy Technicians · $43,930 Nurse Practitioners · $153,510 Physical Therapists · $100,660 Dental Assistants · $48,110 Pharmacists · $142,090 Physician Assistants · $160,880 Physicians, All Other · $242,500
Questions
How much does an optometrist make in New York?
Optometrists in New York earned a median of $161,140 a year ($77.47 an hour) in May 2025, 18% more than the national median of $136,570. The middle half earned $127,900 to $175,740.
Where in New York do optometrists earn the most?
Among areas in New York, pay was highest in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY at $165,640.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, all industries. Pay doesn't reflect cost of living, overtime or shift differentials.