Optometrist Salary

New York vs Kiryas Joel: Optometrist Salary (2026)

Compare optometrist salaries between New York, NY and Kiryas Joel, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New York, NY
$165,796
$79.71/hr
Kiryas Joel, NY
$166,641
$80.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew York, NYKiryas Joel, NY
Median Salary$165,796$166,641
Hourly Rate$79.71$80.11
Entry Level (P10)$107,830$110,517
25th Percentile$133,848$138,759
75th Percentile$184,319$182,054
Top Earner (P90)$209,060$203,367
Total Employed2,58090
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New York ($165,796) and Kiryas Joel ($166,641) optometrist salaries.New YorkKiryas JoelMedian Salary$165,796$166,641Entry Level (P10)$107,830$110,517Top Earner (P90)$209,060$203,367US Median $140,612

Verdict

New York and Kiryas Joel are closely matched on overall optometrist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between New York and Kiryas Joel is $845 (0.51%). Kiryas Joel's median is +18.51% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New York spans $101,230,Kiryas Joel spans $92,850. New York has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New York
P10 (Entry)$107,830
P25$133,848
Median$165,796
P75$184,319
P90 (Top)$209,060
Kiryas Joel
P10 (Entry)$110,517
P25$138,759
Median$166,641
P75$182,054
P90 (Top)$203,367

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kiryas Joel ($152,292 effective) pays 3.39% more than New York ($147,292 effective).

New York
Nominal: $165,796
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $147,292
Kiryas Joel
Nominal: $166,641
CoL Index: 109.422
Adjusted: $152,292

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New York if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($209,060)
  • Larger job market (2,580 employed)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Kiryas Joel if…

  • Higher median salary ($166,641/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $152,292)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in New York grew 29.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.8% growth in Kiryas Joel over the same period.

New York, NY

+29.3%

$124,570 (2019) → $161,030 (2025)

Kiryas Joel, NY

+9.8%

$147,380 (2024) → $161,850 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: New York or Kiryas Joel?

Kiryas Joel has a higher median optometrist salary at $166,641/year, compared to New York at $165,796/year — a difference of $845 (0.51%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New York and Kiryas Joel?

New York optometrists earn $79.71/hr while Kiryas Joel hygienists earn $80.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New York to Kiryas Joel as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New York and Kiryas Joel. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New York = $147,292, Kiryas Joel = $152,292), job availability (2,580 vs 90 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in New York vs Kiryas Joel?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $107,830 in New York and $110,517 in Kiryas Joel. The Kiryas Joel 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