Top 5 Cities for Optometrist Pay

Optometrist pay depends on several different factors, such as years of experience and specialized qualifications. As with any occupation, your location plays a big role in your salary as well.

The median annual wage for optometrists across the US was $110,300 in May 2017, with Alaska, Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, and North Carolina as the top 5 states for optometrist salaries. But what about the best paying cities for optometrists?

Drilling down even further, U.S. News and World Report identified these 5 cities as offering the highest compensation for optometrists:

1. Hartford, Connecticut

Median Optometrist Salary: $230,870

Top Employers: EyeQuest/DentaQuest, Luxottica Group, ETS Vision, Eye Group, Wal-Mart

The capital of Connecticut, Hartford is one of the oldest cities in the US. About 15% of Hartford’s population is over 65 years old as well, making it an excellent location for optometrists due to the substantial need for eye care for this age group.

2. Bridgeport, Connecticut

Median Optometrist Salary: $224,850

Top Employers: Luxottica Group, EyeQuest/DentaQuest, ETS Vision, Eye Group, Warby Parker

#2 on the list of best cities for optometrist pay is another city in Connecticut – additionally, Bridgeport is the state’s largest city with a population of 151K+. If you’re a hospital optometrist or interested in pursuing hospital privileges, it may interest you to know that Bridgeport’s top two employers overall are St. Vincent’s Medical Center and Bridgeport Hospital.

3. Salisbury, Maryland

Median Optometrist Salary: $216,600

Top Employers: Luxottica Group, EyeQuest/DentaQuest, MyEyeDr, Visionworks, CVS Health

Salisbury is a college coastal town, home to Salisbury University as well as Peninsula Regional Medical Center (two of its top employers). Though significantly smaller in population compared to Hartford and Bridgeport with approximately 30K residents, Salisbury is a majority-minority city (as of December 2017).

Photo source: Wikipedia

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4. Glens Falls, New York

Median Optometrist Salary: $212,790

Top Employers: EyeQuest/DentaQuest, Luxottica Group, Primary Eye Care Optometry Practice, Emerging Vision, ETS Vision

Glens Falls is another small city with a population of 14.7K+. It is a major producer of medical devices, and Glens Falls Hospital is the city’s biggest employer for various roles. As of the 2010 census, 12.5% of Glens Falls population was 65 years of age or older, making it a viable location for optometrists to provide eye care services.

Photo source: Warren County Tourism Department

5. Palm Bay, Florida

Median Optometrist Salary: $193,140

Top Employers: Wal-Mart, Luxottica Group, Crystal Clear Eye Associates of Florida, P.A., EyeQuest/DentaQuest, MyEyeDr Optometry of Florida

Last on our list of best paying cities for optometrists is Palm Bay, FL. Palm Bay is the most populous city in Brevard County, FL (103K+ residents) and also has a significant population aged 65 and older (14.7%). Additionally, 7.45% of the population are native Spanish speakers.

Photo source: Marinas.com.

Ready to find your next rewarding job in optometry? Check out open optometrist opportunities anywhere in the US to secure your dream job in your dream location.