Optometrist salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
An optometrist earns a median of $136,570 a year ($65.66 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $141,550. About 42,790 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $136,570
- Gross pay
- $5,252.69
- Federal income tax
- −$827.34
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$325.67
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$76.16
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $4,023.52
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $136,570
- Federal
- $21,511
- FICA
- $10,448
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $104,612
- Marginal federal rate
- 24.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
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- Physician Assistant: $135,880
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- Nurse Practitioner: $132,300
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- Medical Dosimetrist: $147,470
- Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioner: $115,210
- Podiatrist: $160,300
BLS occupation: Optometrists. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an optometrist make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $65.66; the average is $68.05.
What is the salary range for an optometrist?
The bottom 10% earn under $74,870 and the top 10% earn over $202,180 a year.
How much is $136,570 after taxes?
About $104,612 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $94,380 in California for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.