Optometrist Salary

Amherst Town vs Plymouth: Optometrist Salary (2026)

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

Amherst Town, MA
$154,975
$74.50/hr
Plymouth, MA
$156,034
$75.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAmherst Town, MAPlymouth, MA
Median Salary$154,975$156,034
Hourly Rate$74.50$75.02
Entry Level (P10)$109,580$90,500
25th Percentile$136,041$122,752
75th Percentile$158,250$189,080
Top Earner (P90)$189,117$230,557
Total Employed409
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Amherst Town ($154,975) and Plymouth ($156,034) optometrist salaries.Amherst TownPlymouthMedian Salary$154,975$156,034Entry Level (P10)$109,580$90,500Top Earner (P90)$189,117$230,557US Median $140,612

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Amherst Town and Plymouth is $1,059 (0.68%). Plymouth's median is +10.97% 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,Plymouth spans $140,057. Plymouth 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
Plymouth
P10 (Entry)$90,500
P25$122,752
Median$156,034
P75$189,080
P90 (Top)$230,557

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Amherst Town ($154,599 effective) pays 7.50% more than Plymouth ($143,810 effective).

Amherst Town
Nominal: $154,975
CoL Index: 100.243
Adjusted: $154,599
Plymouth
Nominal: $156,034
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $143,810

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 Plymouth if…

  • Higher median salary ($156,034/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($230,557)
  • 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 Plymouth over the same period.

Amherst Town, MA

+9.5%

$137,510 (2024) → $150,520 (2025)

Plymouth, MA

+-7.5%

$163,862 (2024) → $151,548 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Amherst Town or Plymouth?

Plymouth has a higher median optometrist salary at $156,034/year, compared to Amherst Town at $154,975/year — a difference of $1,059 (0.68%).

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

Amherst Town optometrists earn $74.50/hr while Plymouth hygienists earn $75.02/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Amherst Town and Plymouth. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Amherst Town = $154,599, Plymouth = $143,810), job availability (40 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $109,580 in Amherst Town and $90,500 in Plymouth. 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