Optometrist Salary

Amherst Town vs Haverhill: Optometrist Salary (2026)

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

Amherst Town, MA
$154,975
$74.50/hr
Haverhill, MA
$155,445
$74.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAmherst Town, MAHaverhill, MA
Median Salary$154,975$155,445
Hourly Rate$74.50$74.73
Entry Level (P10)$109,580$90,158
25th Percentile$136,041$121,572
75th Percentile$158,250$187,650
Top Earner (P90)$189,117$222,823
Total Employed4016
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Amherst Town ($154,975) and Haverhill ($155,445) optometrist salaries.Amherst TownHaverhillMedian Salary$154,975$155,445Entry Level (P10)$109,580$90,158Top Earner (P90)$189,117$222,823US Median $140,612

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Amherst Town and Haverhill is $470 (0.30%). Haverhill's median is +10.55% 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,Haverhill spans $132,665. Haverhill 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
Haverhill
P10 (Entry)$90,158
P25$121,572
Median$155,445
P75$187,650
P90 (Top)$222,823

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Amherst Town ($154,599 effective) pays 7.91% more than Haverhill ($143,267 effective).

Amherst Town
Nominal: $154,975
CoL Index: 100.243
Adjusted: $154,599
Haverhill
Nominal: $155,445
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $143,267

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Amherst Town if…

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

Choose Haverhill if…

  • Higher median salary ($155,445/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($222,823)
  • 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 Haverhill over the same period.

Amherst Town, MA

+9.5%

$137,510 (2024) → $150,520 (2025)

Haverhill, MA

+-7.5%

$163,243 (2024) → $150,976 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Amherst Town or Haverhill?

Haverhill has a higher median optometrist salary at $155,445/year, compared to Amherst Town at $154,975/year — a difference of $470 (0.30%).

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

Amherst Town optometrists earn $74.50/hr while Haverhill hygienists earn $74.73/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Amherst Town and Haverhill. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Amherst Town = $154,599, Haverhill = $143,267), job availability (40 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $109,580 in Amherst Town and $90,158 in Haverhill. 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