Optometrists Salary Trend (2011–2024)
Historical salary and employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Median Salary in 2024
$134,830
↑ 42.4% since 2011
Median Salary Over Time
Optometrists — Median Annual Salary
Employment Over Time
Optometrists — Total Employment
Key Insights
📈Salaries grew 42.4% since 2011 ($94,690 → $134,830)
🏆Peak year: 2024 at $134,830
🦠COVID impact: Salary rose 2.4% from 2019 to 2020, likely reflecting workforce composition changes.
💰After inflation (~3%/yr), real growth is approximately -3%
Year-by-Year Salary Data
| Year | Median Salary | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $134,830 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $131,860 | +5.0% |
| 2022 | $125,590 | +1.0% |
| 2021 | $124,300 | +5.3% |
| 2020 | $118,050 | +2.4% |
| 2019 | $115,250 | +3.1% |
| 2018 | $111,790 | +1.4% |
| 2017 | $110,300 | +3.9% |
| 2016 | $106,140 | +2.2% |
| 2015 | $103,900 | +2.5% |
| 2014 | $101,410 | +0.1% |
| 2013 | $101,290 | +3.5% |
| 2012 | $97,820 | +3.3% |
| 2011 | $94,690 | — |
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2011–2024. All figures are annual median wages in nominal dollars.