Optometrist Salary

Allentown vs New Castle: Optometrist Salary (2026)

Compare optometrist salaries between Allentown, PA and New Castle, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Allentown, PA
$155,099
$74.56/hr
New Castle, PA
$132,223
$63.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAllentown, PANew Castle, PA
Median Salary$155,099$132,223
Hourly Rate$74.56$63.57
Entry Level (P10)$92,582$76,690
25th Percentile$134,332$112,618
75th Percentile$170,183$152,662
Top Earner (P90)$194,100$179,317
Total Employed1004
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Allentown ($155,099) and New Castle ($132,223) optometrist salaries.AllentownNew CastleMedian Salary$155,099$132,223Entry Level (P10)$92,582$76,690Top Earner (P90)$194,100$179,317US Median $140,612

Verdict

Allentown, PA offers better overall compensation for optometrists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to New Castle.

The salary gap between Allentown and New Castle is $22,876 (17.30%). Allentown's median is +10.30% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Allentown spans $101,518,New Castle spans $102,627. New Castle has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced optometrists.

Allentown
P10 (Entry)$92,582
P25$134,332
Median$155,099
P75$170,183
P90 (Top)$194,100
New Castle
P10 (Entry)$76,690
P25$112,618
Median$132,223
P75$152,662
P90 (Top)$179,317

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Allentown ($155,149 effective) pays 14.29% more than New Castle ($135,753 effective).

Allentown
Nominal: $155,099
CoL Index: 99.968
Adjusted: $155,149
New Castle
Nominal: $132,223
CoL Index: 97.4
Adjusted: $135,753

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Allentown if…

  • Higher median salary ($155,099/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($194,100)
  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $155,149)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose New Castle if…

  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in Allentown grew 11.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 2.1% growth in New Castle over the same period.

Allentown, PA

+11.6%

$135,030 (2019) → $150,640 (2025)

New Castle, PA

+2.1%

$125,801 (2024) → $128,422 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Allentown or New Castle?

Allentown has a higher median optometrist salary at $155,099/year, compared to New Castle at $132,223/year — a difference of $22,876 (17.30%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Allentown and New Castle?

Allentown optometrists earn $74.56/hr while New Castle hygienists earn $63.57/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Allentown to New Castle as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Allentown and New Castle. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Allentown = $155,149, New Castle = $135,753), job availability (100 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Allentown vs New Castle?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $92,582 in Allentown and $76,690 in New Castle. The Allentown area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

Written by Aisha Patel, OD

Career Analyst

Aisha Patel has 10 years of experience in optometry. She specializes in pediatric vision care. Aisha works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Rajiv Kumar, ODData verified by Sofia Martinez, OD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.96% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov