Optometrist Salary in New York: $165,667 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New York's 39 metropolitan areas, the average median optometrist pay sits at $165,667/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1041. Because New York sits at BEA RPP 115.9 (16% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $142,940 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Troy ($167,268), Buffalo ($165,640), Yonkers ($165,598).
As of 2026, the average median salary for optometrists in New York is projected to be $165,667, which is 17.8% higher than the national median of $140,612. The highest-paying city for this profession is Troy, where salaries are projected to reach $172,219, while the lowest is Cortland at $153,052, resulting in a salary gap of $19,167. This difference can be attributed to varying demand for eye care services, population density, and the local cost of living in these areas. New York has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that influence the profession. Optometrists must complete a Doctor of Optometry degree and pass a licensing exam, and they are able to diagnose and treat a range of vision-related issues, which can drive demand for their services. Additionally, the job market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 2.96%, suggesting stable opportunities for those entering the field. With a total of 3,477 optometrists employed in the state, cities such as Buffalo ($170,543), Yonkers ($170,500), Poughkeepsie ($169,207), and Albany ($168,875) also indicate solid earning potential. This stability in employment and salary trends reflects a continuing need for eye care professionals across New York.
New York Optometrist Salary Range
Overall salary range in New York: $67,912 (lowest entry-level) to $360,422 (highest top earner)
New York vs National Average
New York optometrists earn 17.82% more than the national median (+$25,055/year difference).
New York Optometrist Salary Distribution (2026)
Optometrist salaries in New York range from $105,132 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $213,302 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $165,667. The New York median is $25,055 above the US national median of $140,612. The average hourly rate is $79.65/hr. Approximately 3,477 optometrists are employed across 39 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$125,225
2025 BLS Actual
$160,904
2026 Current Est.
$165,667
2019–2027 Growth
+36.2%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in New York (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $125,225 | Actual |
| 2020 | $126,914 | Actual |
| 2021 | $129,114 | Actual |
| 2022 | $146,357 | Actual |
| 2023 | $152,803 | Actual |
| 2024 | $160,154 | Actual |
| 2025 | $160,904 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $165,667 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $170,571 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New York metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 28.5% from $125,225 (2019) to $160,904 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $170,571 by 2027 — a total increase of $45,346 (36.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New York 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in New York
Lowest Paying Cities in New York
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Cortland | $153,052 |
| Plattsburgh | $153,514 |
| Oneonta | $155,114 |
| Amsterdam | $155,489 |
| Lackawanna | $155,564 |
Best Value Cities for Optometrists in New York
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New York cities offer the most purchasing power for optometrists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo | $170,543 | 95.844 | $177,938 |
| Albany | $168,875 | 99.566 | $169,611 |
| Rochester | $164,098 | 97.035 | $169,112 |
| Syracuse | $158,342 | 95.742 | $165,384 |
| Kiryas Joel | $166,641 | 109.422 | $152,292 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New York
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $105,132 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $165,667 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $213,302 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New York metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 39 Cities in New York
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Troy | $172,219 |
| 2 | Buffalo | $170,543 |
| 3 | Yonkers | $170,500 |
| 4 | Poughkeepsie | $169,207 |
| 5 | Albany | $168,875 |
| 6 | New Rochelle | $166,986 |
| 7 | Kiryas Joel | $166,641 |
| 8 | New York | $165,796 |
| 9 | Schenectady | $165,207 |
| 10 | Mount Vernon | $165,116 |
| 11 | Watertown | $164,837 |
| 12 | Binghamton | $164,450 |
| 13 | Rochester | $164,098 |
| 14 | Long Beach | $163,844 |
| 15 | Ithaca | $163,780 |
| 16 | Niagara Falls | $163,754 |
| 17 | Newburgh | $163,022 |
| 18 | Spring Valley | $161,999 |
| 19 | White Plains | $161,785 |
| 20 | Jamestown | $161,586 |
| 21 | Valley Stream | $161,329 |
| 22 | Utica | $160,864 |
| 23 | Middletown | $160,658 |
| 24 | Hempstead | $160,482 |
| 25 | Saratoga Springs | $159,691 |
| 26 | Rome | $159,588 |
| 27 | North Tonawanda | $158,749 |
| 28 | Syracuse | $158,342 |
| 29 | Glens Falls | $158,089 |
| 30 | Auburn | $157,976 |
| 31 | Freeport | $157,524 |
| 32 | Elmira | $157,330 |
| 33 | Oswego | $155,890 |
| 34 | Kingston | $155,802 |
| 35 | Lackawanna | $155,564 |
| 36 | Amsterdam | $155,489 |
| 37 | Oneonta | $155,114 |
| 38 | Plattsburgh | $153,514 |
| 39 | Cortland | $153,052 |
More New York Salary Data
Compare Cities in New York
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in New York in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for optometrists in New York?
How does New York optometrist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level optometrist salary in New York?
How many optometrists are employed in New York?
Which New York city offers the best value for optometrists?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 optometrist compensation across New York. State averages are employment-weighted across 39 metro areas — larger metro areas with more optometristscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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