Optometrist Salary in Washington, DC: $159,269 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Washington, DC earns a median $159,269/year (≈ $76.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Washington's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.9), that paycheck buys what $146,274 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the District of Columbia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Optometrists practicing in Washington, DC can expect an estimated median annual salary of $159,269 in 2026, reflecting a robust local market for eye care professionals. This figure places optometrist pay in Washington well above the national median of $140,612, providing a significant incentive for both new graduates and experienced practitioners. The salary range here is quite extensive, with earnings starting at $55,722 for the bottom ten percent and peaking at $230,672 for those in the ninetieth percentile. These statistics, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlight the diverse opportunities available in this city, which is known for its mix of private practices, retail chains, and collaborative models with ophthalmology. The choice of practice structure not only influences income potential but also the kind of work-life balance available to practitioners.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,722 | $26.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,405 | $48.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $159,269 | $76.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $207,784 | $99.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $230,672 | $110.90 |
Median Salary Position
13.27% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Washington
In Washington, DC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $174,950 (2026 est.). At $159,269, the local median is 13.27% above the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Washington: You'd be above the median
How Washington Optometrist Pay Compares
Washington median: $159,269/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Washington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia Average | $164,534 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +13.27% more |
Optometrists in Washington, DC earn a median of $159,269 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.27% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 3.20% below the District of Columbia state average of $164,534.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Washington has a cost of living 8.88% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Washington, DC has a cost-of-living index of 108.884 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $159,269 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $146,274 — a 8.16% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$126,320
2025 BLS Actual
$154,690
2026 Current Est.
$159,269
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $126,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $124,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $129,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $132,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $157,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $163,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $154,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $159,269 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $163,983 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 22.5% from $126,320 (2019) to $154,690 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $163,983 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,663 (29.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.96% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $55,722 – $101,405 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,405 – $159,269 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $159,269 – $207,784 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $207,784 – $230,672 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Washington
In Washington, there are currently around 770 optometrists employed, underscoring a healthy demand for vision care services in the area. However, the local cost of living is notably higher, with an index of 108.884, meaning practitioners must consider their take-home pay against living expenses. Among the employers in the region, private optometry practices—both solo and groups—tend to offer the most competitive pay compared to retail optical franchises like LensCrafters and bigger entities such as the VA medical centers. Factors driving salary disparities include ownership stakes, the OD/MD collaborative approach allowing optometrists to share in surgical revenue, and specialized residency training in fields like ocular disease. For those aiming to maximize their earnings, focusing on acquiring advanced training and seeking opportunities within higher-compensation settings, particularly private practices, may prove beneficial in the evolving optometry market of Washington, DC.
More salary data for Washington, DC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $154,690 for optometristsin the Washington metropolitan area. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.96%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for optometrists (SOC 29-1041).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov