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Average Salary and Job Outcomes With an Optometry Degree

What Do You Learn With This Degree?

What Do You Learn With This Degree?

A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of optometry and that focuses on the principles and techniques for examining, diagnosing and treating conditions of the visual system. Includes instruction in prescribing glasses and contact lenses, other optical aids, corrective therapies, patient counseling, physician referral, practice management, and ethics and professional standards.

What Can You Do With This Degree?

What Can You Do With This Degree?

Diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system. Examine eyes and visual system, diagnose problems or impairments, prescribe corrective lenses, and provide treatment. May prescribe therapeutic drugs to treat specific eye conditions.

U.S. Summary
Job & Salary Averages
  • Salary Value (U.S.): $113,349
    "Salary Value"  is a salary score which represents the average of salary medians for all jobs attainable with this degree, per metro area and/or per state.
  • Average of Job Growth Averages (U.S.): 10.8%
    The "average of job growth averages"  is an average of national job growth rates for all jobs attainable with this degree.
  • Avg. Years of Work Experience Needed: no prior years
Education Costs
  • Avg. Undergrad. Out-of-State Cost (U.S.):  $29,677/yr
  • Avg. Undergrad. In-State Cost (U.S.):  $19,738/yr
  • Avg. Graduate Out-of-State Cost (U.S.):  $26,357/yr
  • Avg. Graduate In-State Cost (U.S.):  $20,489/yr
  • Avg. Combined Out-of-State Cost (U.S.):  $27,665/yr
  • Avg. Combined In-State Cost (U.S.):  $20,193/yr

All information is based on data collected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and National Center for Education Statistics.

DOCTORATE Most Required Degree
Doctorate

This chart visualizes the percentage of jobs requiring a particular degree level (including if a degree isn't required by most employers).

Average Salary Medians

What Are Salary Medians?

Salary median is the average salary amount earned by workers, calculated per industry or per metro area. Average salary median is an average of median salaries for jobs that are attainable with this degree. Metro area average salary median is the average of salary medians for jobs within a metro area. State average salary median is the average of all metro area average salary medians within that state.

For more information about salary medians and average salary medians, please read this blog post, "Average Salary Median" vs. "Salary Median".

Click on any state in the table below to see which metro areas earn the highest median salaries. If you see "N/A" next to a state, it means that no data is available about that state for this degree.

Overall Salary Value: $113,349

The state with the highest salary value for this degree is North Dakota ($167,060) in the East North Dakota nonmetropolitan area metro area.

Alaska N/A
Alabama

Metro Area Salary Values for Alabama

Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL metro area has the highest salary value in Alabama ($143,990).

Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL $143,990
Montgomery, AL $101,140
Northeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area $124,060
$123,063
Arkansas

Metro Area Salary Values for Arkansas

Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR metro area has the highest salary value in Arkansas ($143,870).

Fort Smith, AR-OK $44,830
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR $143,870
North Arkansas nonmetropolitan area $104,330
$97,677
Arizona

Metro Area Salary Values for Arizona

Tucson, AZ metro area has the highest salary value in Arizona ($140,330).

Tucson, AZ $140,330
$140,330
California

Metro Area Salary Values for California

San Diego-Carlsbad, CA metro area has the highest salary value in California ($182,760).

Fresno, CA $111,950
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $120,780
Modesto, CA $152,570
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $110,570
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $154,490
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA $125,510
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA $182,760
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA $142,640
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $158,460
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $119,750
Santa Rosa, CA $154,240
Stockton-Lodi, CA $120,880
Vallejo-Fairfield, CA $149,380
$138,768
Colorado

Metro Area Salary Values for Colorado

Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO metro area has the highest salary value in Colorado ($125,330).

Colorado Springs, CO $106,830
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO $125,330
Fort Collins, CO $94,310
Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area $94,510
$105,245
Connecticut

Metro Area Salary Values for Connecticut

New Haven, CT metro area has the highest salary value in Connecticut ($151,550).

New Haven, CT $151,550
Waterbury, CT $147,240
$149,395
Washington, D.C. N/A
Delaware N/A
Florida

Metro Area Salary Values for Florida

Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL metro area has the highest salary value in Florida ($146,360).

Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL $75,440
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL $115,160
Gainesville, FL $144,610
Jacksonville, FL $119,650
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL $103,650
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $114,910
North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL $129,450
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL $95,970
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL $146,360
Tallahassee, FL $120,970
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL $120,500
$116,970
Georgia

Metro Area Salary Values for Georgia

Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area has the highest salary value in Georgia ($110,860).

Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC $110,860
$110,860
Hawaii N/A
Iowa

Metro Area Salary Values for Iowa

Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area metro area has the highest salary value in Iowa ($149,370).

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL $108,250
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA $77,130
Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area $107,320
Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area $116,170
Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area $149,370
$111,648
Idaho

Metro Area Salary Values for Idaho

Southeast-Central Idaho nonmetropolitan area metro area has the highest salary value in Idaho ($94,150).

Southeast-Central Idaho nonmetropolitan area $94,150
$94,150
Illinois

Metro Area Salary Values for Illinois

West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area metro area has the highest salary value in Illinois ($107,580).

Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area $52,120
West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area $107,580
$79,850
Indiana

Metro Area Salary Values for Indiana

Fort Wayne, IN metro area has the highest salary value in Indiana ($117,110).

Fort Wayne, IN $117,110
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN $89,960
Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN $98,490
Muncie, IN $117,090
Northern Indiana nonmetropolitan area $98,450
Central Indiana nonmetropolitan area $72,990
Southern Indiana nonmetropolitan area $94,580
$98,381
Kansas

Metro Area Salary Values for Kansas

Kansas nonmetropolitan area metro area has the highest salary value in Kansas ($105,940).

Wichita, KS $96,970
Kansas nonmetropolitan area $105,940
$101,455
Kentucky

Metro Area Salary Values for Kentucky

Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area metro area has the highest salary value in Kentucky ($113,090).

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN $101,450
Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area $113,090
$107,270
Louisiana

Metro Area Salary Values for Louisiana

New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area has the highest salary value in Louisiana ($81,550).

New Orleans-Metairie, LA $81,550
$81,550
Massachusetts

Metro Area Salary Values for Massachusetts

Springfield, MA-CT metro area has the highest salary value in Massachusetts ($126,020).

New Bedford, MA $124,800
Springfield, MA-CT $126,020
Worcester, MA-CT $118,980
$123,267
Maryland

Metro Area Salary Values for Maryland

Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV metro area has the highest salary value in Maryland ($136,190).

Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV $136,190
$136,190
Maine

Metro Area Salary Values for Maine

Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area metro area has the highest salary value in Maine ($105,710).

Portland-South Portland, ME $102,260
Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area $105,710
$103,985
Michigan

Metro Area Salary Values for Michigan

Balance of Lower Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area metro area has the highest salary value in Michigan ($136,270).

Flint, MI $113,680
Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI $111,560
Lansing-East Lansing, MI $119,090
Upper Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area $98,420
Northwest Lower Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area $103,090
Balance of Lower Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area $136,270
$113,685
Minnesota

Metro Area Salary Values for Minnesota

Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area metro area has the highest salary value in Minnesota ($124,930).

Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area $124,930
$124,930
Missouri

Metro Area Salary Values for Missouri

Springfield, MO metro area has the highest salary value in Missouri ($118,310).

Kansas City, MO-KS $118,260
St. Louis, MO-IL $114,550
Springfield, MO $118,310
Southeast Missouri nonmetropolitan area $101,920
$113,260
Mississippi

Metro Area Salary Values for Mississippi

Northwest Mississippi nonmetropolitan area metro area has the highest salary value in Mississippi ($123,770).

Northwest Mississippi nonmetropolitan area $123,770
$123,770
Montana

Metro Area Salary Values for Montana

East-Central Montana nonmetropolitan area metro area has the highest salary value in Montana ($132,040).

Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area $76,560
East-Central Montana nonmetropolitan area $132,040
$104,300
North Carolina

Metro Area Salary Values for North Carolina

Fayetteville, NC metro area has the highest salary value in North Carolina ($174,740).

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $129,640
Fayetteville, NC $174,740
Greensboro-High Point, NC $146,090
Raleigh, NC $116,180
Wilmington, NC $110,970
Winston-Salem, NC $137,160
Southeast Coastal North Carolina nonmetropolitan area $137,250
$136,004
North Dakota

Metro Area Salary Values for North Dakota

East North Dakota nonmetropolitan area metro area has the highest salary value in North Dakota ($167,060).

East North Dakota nonmetropolitan area $167,060
$167,060
Nebraska

Metro Area Salary Values for Nebraska

Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA metro area has the highest salary value in Nebraska ($118,980).

Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA $118,980
South Nebraska nonmetropolitan area $98,000
$108,490
New Hampshire N/A
New Jersey

Metro Area Salary Values for New Jersey

Trenton, NJ metro area has the highest salary value in New Jersey ($83,050).

Ocean City, NJ $75,610
Trenton, NJ $83,050
Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ $77,120
$78,593
New Mexico

Metro Area Salary Values for New Mexico

Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area metro area has the highest salary value in New Mexico ($48,560).

Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area $48,560
$48,560
Nevada

Metro Area Salary Values for Nevada

Reno, NV metro area has the highest salary value in Nevada ($132,860).

Reno, NV $132,860
$132,860
New York

Metro Area Salary Values for New York

Syracuse, NY metro area has the highest salary value in New York ($139,570).

Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY $115,670
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA $127,500
Rochester, NY $108,000
Syracuse, NY $139,570
Utica-Rome, NY $137,800
Southwest New York nonmetropolitan area $133,760
$127,050
Ohio

Metro Area Salary Values for Ohio

Toledo, OH metro area has the highest salary value in Ohio ($181,670).

Canton-Massillon, OH $115,050
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $116,610
Cleveland-Elyria, OH $116,670
Columbus, OH $106,330
Dayton, OH $74,060
Toledo, OH $181,670
West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area $116,260
North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area (noncontiguous) $80,590
Eastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area $136,490
$115,970
Oklahoma

Metro Area Salary Values for Oklahoma

Tulsa, OK metro area has the highest salary value in Oklahoma ($124,780).

Tulsa, OK $124,780
Northeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area $77,620
Northwest Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area $104,100
Southeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area $87,050
$98,388
Oregon

Metro Area Salary Values for Oregon

Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area has the highest salary value in Oregon ($117,540).

Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $117,540
$117,540
Pennsylvania

Metro Area Salary Values for Pennsylvania

Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area has the highest salary value in Pennsylvania ($140,600).

Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA $121,210
Lancaster, PA $122,700
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $140,600
Pittsburgh, PA $115,280
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA $137,780
State College, PA $51,420
York-Hanover, PA $117,830
Western Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area $134,320
Northern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area $106,370
$116,390
Puerto Rico

Metro Area Salary Values for Puerto Rico

San Juan-Carolina-Caguas, PR metro area has the highest salary value in Puerto Rico ($75,050).

San Juan-Carolina-Caguas, PR $75,050
$75,050
Rhode Island N/A
South Carolina

Metro Area Salary Values for South Carolina

Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC metro area has the highest salary value in South Carolina ($85,540).

Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC $78,260
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC $85,540
$81,900
South Dakota

Metro Area Salary Values for South Dakota

West South Dakota nonmetropolitan area metro area has the highest salary value in South Dakota ($93,500).

East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area $83,670
West South Dakota nonmetropolitan area $93,500
$88,585
Tennessee

Metro Area Salary Values for Tennessee

Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA metro area has the highest salary value in Tennessee ($140,480).

Clarksville, TN-KY $127,080
Johnson City, TN $96,360
Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA $140,480
Knoxville, TN $132,670
Memphis, TN-MS-AR $100,040
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $96,990
$115,603
Texas

Metro Area Salary Values for Texas

Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX metro area has the highest salary value in Texas ($125,200).

Austin-Round Rock, TX $113,070
Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX $125,200
Corpus Christi, TX $111,180
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $113,650
El Paso, TX $117,830
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX $109,820
Killeen-Temple, TX $122,470
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX $114,720
West Texas Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area $105,730
Big Thicket Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area $123,970
$115,764
Utah

Metro Area Salary Values for Utah

St. George, UT metro area has the highest salary value in Utah ($84,610).

Provo-Orem, UT $66,080
St. George, UT $84,610
Salt Lake City, UT $74,270
$74,987
Virginia

Metro Area Salary Values for Virginia

Richmond, VA metro area has the highest salary value in Virginia ($116,190).

Richmond, VA $116,190
Roanoke, VA $98,440
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC $107,530
$107,387
Vermont N/A
Wisconsin

Metro Area Salary Values for Wisconsin

South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area metro area has the highest salary value in Wisconsin ($120,070).

Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI $114,500
South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $120,070
$117,285
West Virginia N/A
Wyoming

Metro Area Salary Values for Wyoming

Cheyenne, WY metro area has the highest salary value in Wyoming ($76,290).

Cheyenne, WY $76,290
Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area $68,010
Eastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area $67,390
$70,563

Doctorate

Average Salary Median: $113,349

The state with the highest average salary median for a doctorate degree is North Dakota ($167,060) in the East North Dakota nonmetropolitan area metro area.

Alaska N/A
Alabama

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Alabama (Doctorate)

Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL metro area has the highest average salary median in Alabama ($143,990) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL $143,990
Montgomery, AL $101,140
Northeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area $124,060
$123,063
Arkansas

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Arkansas (Doctorate)

Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR metro area has the highest average salary median in Arkansas ($143,870) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Fort Smith, AR-OK $44,830
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR $143,870
North Arkansas nonmetropolitan area $104,330
$97,677
Arizona

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Arizona (Doctorate)

Tucson, AZ metro area has the highest average salary median in Arizona ($140,330) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Tucson, AZ $140,330
$140,330
California

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for California (Doctorate)

San Diego-Carlsbad, CA metro area has the highest average salary median in California ($182,760) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Fresno, CA $111,950
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $120,780
Modesto, CA $152,570
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $110,570
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $154,490
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA $125,510
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA $182,760
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA $142,640
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $158,460
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $119,750
Santa Rosa, CA $154,240
Stockton-Lodi, CA $120,880
Vallejo-Fairfield, CA $149,380
$138,768
Colorado

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Colorado (Doctorate)

Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO metro area has the highest average salary median in Colorado ($125,330) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Colorado Springs, CO $106,830
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO $125,330
Fort Collins, CO $94,310
Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area $94,510
$105,245
Connecticut

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Connecticut (Doctorate)

New Haven, CT metro area has the highest average salary median in Connecticut ($151,550) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

New Haven, CT $151,550
Waterbury, CT $147,240
$149,395
Washington, D.C. N/A
Delaware N/A
Florida

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Florida (Doctorate)

Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL metro area has the highest average salary median in Florida ($146,360) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL $75,440
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL $115,160
Gainesville, FL $144,610
Jacksonville, FL $119,650
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL $103,650
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $114,910
North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL $129,450
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL $95,970
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL $146,360
Tallahassee, FL $120,970
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL $120,500
$116,970
Georgia

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Georgia (Doctorate)

Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area has the highest average salary median in Georgia ($110,860) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC $110,860
$110,860
Hawaii N/A
Iowa

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Iowa (Doctorate)

Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area metro area has the highest average salary median in Iowa ($149,370) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL $108,250
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA $77,130
Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area $107,320
Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area $116,170
Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area $149,370
$111,648
Idaho

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Idaho (Doctorate)

Southeast-Central Idaho nonmetropolitan area metro area has the highest average salary median in Idaho ($94,150) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Southeast-Central Idaho nonmetropolitan area $94,150
$94,150
Illinois

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Illinois (Doctorate)

West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area metro area has the highest average salary median in Illinois ($107,580) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area $52,120
West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area $107,580
$79,850
Indiana

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Indiana (Doctorate)

Fort Wayne, IN metro area has the highest average salary median in Indiana ($117,110) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Fort Wayne, IN $117,110
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN $89,960
Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN $98,490
Muncie, IN $117,090
Northern Indiana nonmetropolitan area $98,450
Central Indiana nonmetropolitan area $72,990
Southern Indiana nonmetropolitan area $94,580
$98,381
Kansas

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Kansas (Doctorate)

Kansas nonmetropolitan area metro area has the highest average salary median in Kansas ($105,940) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Wichita, KS $96,970
Kansas nonmetropolitan area $105,940
$101,455
Kentucky

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Kentucky (Doctorate)

Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area metro area has the highest average salary median in Kentucky ($113,090) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN $101,450
Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area $113,090
$107,270
Louisiana

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Louisiana (Doctorate)

New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area has the highest average salary median in Louisiana ($81,550) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

New Orleans-Metairie, LA $81,550
$81,550
Massachusetts

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Massachusetts (Doctorate)

Springfield, MA-CT metro area has the highest average salary median in Massachusetts ($126,020) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

New Bedford, MA $124,800
Springfield, MA-CT $126,020
Worcester, MA-CT $118,980
$123,267
Maryland

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Maryland (Doctorate)

Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV metro area has the highest average salary median in Maryland ($136,190) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV $136,190
$136,190
Maine

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Maine (Doctorate)

Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area metro area has the highest average salary median in Maine ($105,710) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Portland-South Portland, ME $102,260
Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area $105,710
$103,985
Michigan

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Michigan (Doctorate)

Balance of Lower Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area metro area has the highest average salary median in Michigan ($136,270) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Flint, MI $113,680
Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI $111,560
Lansing-East Lansing, MI $119,090
Upper Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area $98,420
Northwest Lower Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area $103,090
Balance of Lower Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area $136,270
$113,685
Minnesota

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Minnesota (Doctorate)

Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area metro area has the highest average salary median in Minnesota ($124,930) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area $124,930
$124,930
Missouri

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Missouri (Doctorate)

Springfield, MO metro area has the highest average salary median in Missouri ($118,310) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Kansas City, MO-KS $118,260
St. Louis, MO-IL $114,550
Springfield, MO $118,310
Southeast Missouri nonmetropolitan area $101,920
$113,260
Mississippi

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Mississippi (Doctorate)

Northwest Mississippi nonmetropolitan area metro area has the highest average salary median in Mississippi ($123,770) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Northwest Mississippi nonmetropolitan area $123,770
$123,770
Montana

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Montana (Doctorate)

East-Central Montana nonmetropolitan area metro area has the highest average salary median in Montana ($132,040) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area $76,560
East-Central Montana nonmetropolitan area $132,040
$104,300
North Carolina

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for North Carolina (Doctorate)

Fayetteville, NC metro area has the highest average salary median in North Carolina ($174,740) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $129,640
Fayetteville, NC $174,740
Greensboro-High Point, NC $146,090
Raleigh, NC $116,180
Wilmington, NC $110,970
Winston-Salem, NC $137,160
Southeast Coastal North Carolina nonmetropolitan area $137,250
$136,004
North Dakota

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for North Dakota (Doctorate)

East North Dakota nonmetropolitan area metro area has the highest average salary median in North Dakota ($167,060) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

East North Dakota nonmetropolitan area $167,060
$167,060
Nebraska

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Nebraska (Doctorate)

Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA metro area has the highest average salary median in Nebraska ($118,980) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA $118,980
South Nebraska nonmetropolitan area $98,000
$108,490
New Hampshire N/A
New Jersey

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for New Jersey (Doctorate)

Trenton, NJ metro area has the highest average salary median in New Jersey ($83,050) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Ocean City, NJ $75,610
Trenton, NJ $83,050
Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ $77,120
$78,593
New Mexico

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for New Mexico (Doctorate)

Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area metro area has the highest average salary median in New Mexico ($48,560) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area $48,560
$48,560
Nevada

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Nevada (Doctorate)

Reno, NV metro area has the highest average salary median in Nevada ($132,860) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Reno, NV $132,860
$132,860
New York

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for New York (Doctorate)

Syracuse, NY metro area has the highest average salary median in New York ($139,570) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY $115,670
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA $127,500
Rochester, NY $108,000
Syracuse, NY $139,570
Utica-Rome, NY $137,800
Southwest New York nonmetropolitan area $133,760
$127,050
Ohio

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Ohio (Doctorate)

Toledo, OH metro area has the highest average salary median in Ohio ($181,670) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Canton-Massillon, OH $115,050
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $116,610
Cleveland-Elyria, OH $116,670
Columbus, OH $106,330
Dayton, OH $74,060
Toledo, OH $181,670
West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area $116,260
North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area (noncontiguous) $80,590
Eastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area $136,490
$115,970
Oklahoma

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Oklahoma (Doctorate)

Tulsa, OK metro area has the highest average salary median in Oklahoma ($124,780) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Tulsa, OK $124,780
Northeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area $77,620
Northwest Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area $104,100
Southeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area $87,050
$98,388
Oregon

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Oregon (Doctorate)

Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area has the highest average salary median in Oregon ($117,540) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $117,540
$117,540
Pennsylvania

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Pennsylvania (Doctorate)

Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area has the highest average salary median in Pennsylvania ($140,600) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA $121,210
Lancaster, PA $122,700
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $140,600
Pittsburgh, PA $115,280
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA $137,780
State College, PA $51,420
York-Hanover, PA $117,830
Western Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area $134,320
Northern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area $106,370
$116,390
Puerto Rico

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Puerto Rico (Doctorate)

San Juan-Carolina-Caguas, PR metro area has the highest average salary median in Puerto Rico ($75,050) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

San Juan-Carolina-Caguas, PR $75,050
$75,050
Rhode Island N/A
South Carolina

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for South Carolina (Doctorate)

Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC metro area has the highest average salary median in South Carolina ($85,540) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC $78,260
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC $85,540
$81,900
South Dakota

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for South Dakota (Doctorate)

West South Dakota nonmetropolitan area metro area has the highest average salary median in South Dakota ($93,500) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area $83,670
West South Dakota nonmetropolitan area $93,500
$88,585
Tennessee

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Tennessee (Doctorate)

Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA metro area has the highest average salary median in Tennessee ($140,480) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Clarksville, TN-KY $127,080
Johnson City, TN $96,360
Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA $140,480
Knoxville, TN $132,670
Memphis, TN-MS-AR $100,040
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $96,990
$115,603
Texas

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Texas (Doctorate)

Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX metro area has the highest average salary median in Texas ($125,200) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Austin-Round Rock, TX $113,070
Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX $125,200
Corpus Christi, TX $111,180
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $113,650
El Paso, TX $117,830
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX $109,820
Killeen-Temple, TX $122,470
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX $114,720
West Texas Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area $105,730
Big Thicket Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area $123,970
$115,764
Utah

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Utah (Doctorate)

St. George, UT metro area has the highest average salary median in Utah ($84,610) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Provo-Orem, UT $66,080
St. George, UT $84,610
Salt Lake City, UT $74,270
$74,987
Virginia

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Virginia (Doctorate)

Richmond, VA metro area has the highest average salary median in Virginia ($116,190) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Richmond, VA $116,190
Roanoke, VA $98,440
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC $107,530
$107,387
Vermont N/A
Wisconsin

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Wisconsin (Doctorate)

South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area metro area has the highest average salary median in Wisconsin ($120,070) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI $114,500
South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $120,070
$117,285
West Virginia N/A
Wyoming

Metro Area Average Salary Medians for Wyoming (Doctorate)

Cheyenne, WY metro area has the highest average salary median in Wyoming ($76,290) for a doctorate degree in this area of study.

Cheyenne, WY $76,290
Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area $68,010
Eastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area $67,390
$70,563

1 Job Attainable With This Degree

The jobs below are commonly attainable with this degree. Most job roles require a doctorate degree.  For a doctorate degree, the average salary median is $113,349. 

  Optometrists

Diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system. Examine eyes and visual system, diagnose problems or impairments, prescribe corrective lenses, and provide treatment. May prescribe therapeutic drugs to treat specific eye conditions.

Salary Ratio: 0.32    

The Salary Ratio is a comparison of the average salary median compared to the average cost of obtaining this degree (average of undergraduate and graduate costs). It takes a job's average salary median and then compares it to the combined average cost of undergraduate degrees (1-4 years) and graduate degrees (6 years for a masters, 8 years for a doctorate) needed to qualify for that job.

A ratio that's close to 1, or greater, indicates that the average salary median which can be earned is substantial compared to the average cost of obtaining the degree. A Salary Ratio of 0, "N/A", or "INF" implies that school data is not available to provide a proper evaluation. Explore other factors such as the years of work experience usually required, the degree level normally required, and the types of attainable jobs to determine the feasibility of pursuing this degree.

Common Job Titles    
  • Optometrist
  • Optometry Doctor (OD)
  • Therapeutic Optometrist
  • US Salary Median: $109,775
  • Job Growth (U.S.): 10.8%
  • Prior Experience: no prior years
  • Degree Level Required: Doctorate


Average Education Costs

Doctorate

The average cost for a graduate degree is $20,489 per year (or $26,356 if you're out-of-state), which means you're estimated to spend $81,956 to earn a doctorate (or $105,424 if you're out-of-state). This doesn't include the cost to first earn a bachelor's degree ($78,952 if you're in-state, $118,708 if you're out-of-state) and then a master's degree ($40,978 if you're in-state, $52,712 if you're out-of-state).

Most Affordable Schools for an Undergraduate Optometry Degrees

University of California-Berkeley

200 California Hall - Berkeley, CA

Out-of-state cost: $44,066/year
In-state cost: $14,312/year
Degrees: Doctorate, Certificate

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Most Affordable Schools for a Graduate Optometry Degrees

Ferris State University

1201 S State St - Big Rapids, MI

Out-of-state cost: $7,908/year
In-state cost: $7,908/year
Degrees: Doctorate

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University of Pikeville

147 Sycamore St - Pikeville, KY

Out-of-state cost: $8,100/year
In-state cost: $8,100/year
Degrees: Doctorate

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Northeastern State University

600 N Grand - Tahlequah, OK

Out-of-state cost: $10,600/year
In-state cost: $5,101/year
Degrees: Doctorate

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University of Houston

212 E. Cullen Building - Houston, TX

Out-of-state cost: $18,689/year
In-state cost: $9,547/year
Degrees: Doctorate

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University of Alabama at Birmingham

Administration Bldg Suite 1070 - Birmingham, AL

Out-of-state cost: $19,188/year
In-state cost: $8,100/year
Degrees: Doctorate

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University of the Incarnate Word

4301 Broadway - San Antonio, TX

Out-of-state cost: $19,242/year
In-state cost: $19,242/year
Degrees: Doctorate

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New England College of Optometry

424 Beacon St - Boston, MA

Out-of-state cost: $21,771/year
In-state cost: $21,771/year
Degrees: Doctorate

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Nova Southeastern University

3301 College Ave - Fort Lauderdale, FL

Out-of-state cost: $22,242/year
In-state cost: $22,242/year
Degrees: Doctorate

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MCPHS University

179 Longwood Ave - Boston, MA

Out-of-state cost: $23,280/year
In-state cost: $23,280/year
Degrees: Doctorate

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SUNY College of Optometry

33 West 42nd Street - New York, NY

Out-of-state cost: $23,561/year
In-state cost: $11,771/year
Degrees: Doctorate

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Western University of Health Sciences

309 E 2nd St - Pomona, CA

Out-of-state cost: $23,596/year
In-state cost: $23,596/year
Degrees: Doctorate

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University of Missouri-St Louis

One University Boulevard - Saint Louis, MO

Out-of-state cost: $30,154/year
In-state cost: $12,283/year
Degrees: Doctorate

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Salus University

8360 Old York Rd - Elkins Park, PA

Out-of-state cost: $32,988/year
In-state cost: $32,988/year
Degrees: Doctorate

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Indiana University-Bloomington

107 South Indiana Ave. - Bloomington, IN

Out-of-state cost: $33,338/year
In-state cost: $11,192/year
Degrees: Doctorate

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Pacific University

2043 College Way - Forest Grove, OR

Out-of-state cost: $35,325/year
In-state cost: $35,325/year
Degrees: Doctorate

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Ohio State University-Main Campus

190 N. Oval Mall - Columbus, OH

Out-of-state cost: $37,141/year
In-state cost: $12,425/year
Degrees: Doctorate

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Marshall B Ketchum University

2575 Yorba Linda Blvd - Fullerton, CA

Out-of-state cost: $37,646/year
In-state cost: $37,646/year
Degrees: Doctorate

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Midwestern University-Downers Grove

555 31st Street - Downers Grove, IL

Out-of-state cost: $45,511/year
In-state cost: $45,511/year
Degrees: Doctorate

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Midwestern University-Glendale

19555 N 59th Ave - Glendale, AZ

Out-of-state cost: $47,512/year
In-state cost: $47,512/year
Degrees: Doctorate

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Illinois College of Optometry

3241 S Michigan Ave - Chicago, IL

Out-of-state cost: N/A
In-state cost: N/A
Degrees: Doctorate

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