Optometrist Salary

New York vs Yonkers: Optometrist Salary (2026)

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

New York, NY
$165,796
$79.71/hr
Yonkers, NY
$170,500
$81.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew York, NYYonkers, NY
Median Salary$165,796$170,500
Hourly Rate$79.71$81.97
Entry Level (P10)$107,830$98,890
25th Percentile$133,848$133,024
75th Percentile$184,319$213,943
Top Earner (P90)$209,060$264,275
Total Employed2,58045
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New York ($165,796) and Yonkers ($170,500) optometrist salaries.New YorkYonkersMedian Salary$165,796$170,500Entry Level (P10)$107,830$98,890Top Earner (P90)$209,060$264,275US Median $140,612

Verdict

Yonkers, NY offers better overall compensation for optometrists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to New York.

The salary gap between New York and Yonkers is $4,704 (2.84%). Yonkers's median is +21.26% 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,Yonkers spans $165,385. Yonkers has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced optometrists.

New York
P10 (Entry)$107,830
P25$133,848
Median$165,796
P75$184,319
P90 (Top)$209,060
Yonkers
P10 (Entry)$98,890
P25$133,024
Median$170,500
P75$213,943
P90 (Top)$264,275

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New York ($147,292 effective) pays 0.12% more than Yonkers ($147,110 effective).

New York
Nominal: $165,796
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $147,292
Yonkers
Nominal: $170,500
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $147,110

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New York if…

  • Larger job market (2,580 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $147,292)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Yonkers if…

  • Higher median salary ($170,500/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($264,275)
  • 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 -7.1% growth in Yonkers over the same period.

New York, NY

+29.3%

$124,570 (2019) → $161,030 (2025)

Yonkers, NY

+-7.1%

$178,328 (2024) → $165,598 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: New York or Yonkers?

Yonkers has a higher median optometrist salary at $170,500/year, compared to New York at $165,796/year — a difference of $4,704 (2.84%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New York and Yonkers?

New York optometrists earn $79.71/hr while Yonkers hygienists earn $81.97/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New York to Yonkers as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New York and Yonkers. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New York = $147,292, Yonkers = $147,110), job availability (2,580 vs 45 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $107,830 in New York and $98,890 in Yonkers. The New York 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