Optometrist Salary

Amherst Town vs Billerica: Optometrist Salary (2026)

Compare optometrist salaries between Amherst Town, MA and Billerica, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Amherst Town, MA
$154,975
$74.50/hr
Billerica, MA
$150,080
$72.15/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAmherst Town, MABillerica, MA
Median Salary$154,975$150,080
Hourly Rate$74.50$72.15
Entry Level (P10)$109,580$87,047
25th Percentile$136,041$125,614
75th Percentile$158,250$181,443
Top Earner (P90)$189,117$218,927
Total Employed407
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Amherst Town ($154,975) and Billerica ($150,080) optometrist salaries.Amherst TownBillericaMedian Salary$154,975$150,080Entry Level (P10)$109,580$87,047Top Earner (P90)$189,117$218,927US Median $140,612

Verdict

Amherst Town, MA offers better overall compensation for optometrists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Billerica.

The salary gap between Amherst Town and Billerica is $4,895 (3.26%). Amherst Town's median is +10.21% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Amherst Town spans $79,537,Billerica spans $131,880. Billerica has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced optometrists.

Amherst Town
P10 (Entry)$109,580
P25$136,041
Median$154,975
P75$158,250
P90 (Top)$189,117
Billerica
P10 (Entry)$87,047
P25$125,614
Median$150,080
P75$181,443
P90 (Top)$218,927

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Amherst Town ($154,599 effective) pays 11.77% more than Billerica ($138,323 effective).

Amherst Town
Nominal: $154,975
CoL Index: 100.243
Adjusted: $154,599
Billerica
Nominal: $150,080
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $138,323

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Amherst Town if…

  • Higher median salary ($154,975/year)
  • Larger job market (40 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $154,599)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Billerica if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($218,927)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in Amherst Town grew 9.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -7.5% growth in Billerica over the same period.

Amherst Town, MA

+9.5%

$137,510 (2024) → $150,520 (2025)

Billerica, MA

+-7.5%

$157,609 (2024) → $145,765 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Amherst Town or Billerica?

Amherst Town has a higher median optometrist salary at $154,975/year, compared to Billerica at $150,080/year — a difference of $4,895 (3.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Amherst Town and Billerica?

Amherst Town optometrists earn $74.50/hr while Billerica hygienists earn $72.15/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Amherst Town to Billerica as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Amherst Town and Billerica. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Amherst Town = $154,599, Billerica = $138,323), job availability (40 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Amherst Town vs Billerica?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $109,580 in Amherst Town and $87,047 in Billerica. The Amherst Town 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