Optometrist Salary in Brookline, MA: $150,314 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Brookline, MA earns a median $150,314/year (≈ $72.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Brookline's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $138,538 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Brookline, Massachusetts, the financial outlook for optometrists is notably robust, with a projected median annual salary of $150,314 for 2026. This figure represents a competitive stance against the national median of $140,612, highlighting a 6.90% premium that reflects the local market’s demand for vision care professionals. With a salary range from $87,182 at the 10th percentile to $220,447 at the 90th, optometrists in this area benefit from various practice settings, including collaboration with ophthalmologists in an OD/MD model, which can significantly enhance revenue through surgical co-management. These figures are estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations, making Brookline an attractive destination for professionals considering a career in optometry.
About the Brookline Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($150,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,182 | $41.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $120,547 | $57.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $150,314 | $72.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $184,444 | $88.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $220,447 | $105.99 |
Median Salary Position
6.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brookline
In Brookline, MA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $133,265 (2026 est.). At $150,314, the local median is 6.9% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brookline: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brookline Optometrist Pay Compares
Brookline median: $150,314/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brookline Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $154,963 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +6.90% more |
Optometrists in Brookline, MA earn a median of $150,314 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.90% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 3.00% below the Massachusetts state average of $154,963.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brookline has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brookline, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $150,314 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $138,538 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$123,202
2025 BLS Actual
$145,993
2026 Current Est.
$150,314
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Brookline (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $123,202 | Actual |
| 2020 | $126,195 | Actual |
| 2021 | $132,876 | Actual |
| 2022 | $134,255 | Actual |
| 2023 | $140,958 | Actual |
| 2024 | $157,855 | Actual |
| 2025 | $145,993 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $150,314 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $154,764 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brookline metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $123,202 (2019) to $145,993 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $154,764 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,562 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookline 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) | $87,182 – $120,547 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $120,547 – $150,314 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $150,314 – $184,444 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $184,444 – $220,447 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Brookline
The local job market employs 13 optometrists, indicating a tight-knit professional community in Brookline. With a cost-of-living index of 108.5, financial realities play a significant role in determining take-home pay and purchasing power for residents. Among local employers, those offering higher compensation include private optometry practices leveraging practice ownership equity and those utilizing the OD/MD model, which provides opportunities for enhanced revenue sharing through surgical referrals. Conversely, retail optical chains like LensCrafters and Pearle Vision may present more stable employment but generally provide lower salaries. Factors contributing to the disparity in earnings include residency training focused on ocular disease, which can justify higher pay rates, and the evolving employment landscape as private practices get acquired by larger entities. For optometrists looking to maximize earnings in Brookline, pursuing residency training and aligning with practices that emphasize surgical co-management could be strategic moves in a competitive market.
More salary data for Brookline, MA:
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 $145,993 for optometristsin the Brookline 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
Salary data for Brookline is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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