Optometrist Salary in White Plains, NY: $161,785 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in White Plains, NY earns a median $161,785/year (≈ $77.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in White Plains's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $139,590 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In White Plains, NY, the 2026 median annual salary for optometrists is projected to be $161,785, significantly higher than the national median of $140,612. Salary estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost of living, reveal a salary range that spans from $93,836 at the 10th percentile to $237,968 at the 90th percentile. This robust compensation reflects the expanding scope of practice for optometrists in New York, which includes glaucoma management, the prescription of certain oral medications, and participation in laser procedures. Given the competitive landscape, this market also indicates a thriving job environment, making optometrist positions in White Plains a potentially lucrative career choice for both current practitioners and those entering the field.
About the White Plains Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($150,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $93,836 | $45.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $130,414 | $62.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $161,785 | $77.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $199,435 | $95.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $237,968 | $114.41 |
Median Salary Position
15.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in White Plains
In White Plains, NY, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $144,132 (2026 est.). At $161,785, the local median is 15.06% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in White Plains: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How White Plains Optometrist Pay Compares
White Plains median: $161,785/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | White Plains Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $166,275 | -2.70% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +15.06% more |
Optometrists in White Plains, NY earn a median of $161,785 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.06% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.70% below the New York state average of $166,275.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
White Plains has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
White Plains, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $161,785 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $139,590 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$132,604
2025 BLS Actual
$157,134
2026 Current Est.
$161,785
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in White Plains (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $132,604 | Actual |
| 2020 | $135,825 | Actual |
| 2021 | $143,016 | Actual |
| 2022 | $144,501 | Actual |
| 2023 | $151,715 | Actual |
| 2024 | $169,213 | Actual |
| 2025 | $157,134 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $161,785 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $166,574 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the White Plains metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $132,604 (2019) to $157,134 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $166,574 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,970 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the White Plains 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) | $93,836 – $130,414 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $130,414 – $161,785 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $161,785 – $199,435 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $199,435 – $237,968 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in White Plains
Within the optometrist job market in White Plains, 11 professionals are currently employed, revealing a relatively small yet promising field. With a cost-of-living index of 115.9, living expenses are above the national average, which affects take-home purchasing power despite the competitive salaries. In terms of employers, private optometry practices often provide the highest compensation, particularly for those utilizing an OD/MD collaborative model, while retail chains and large corporations like Walmart Vision tend to offer lower pay. Factors influencing the salary spread include practice ownership, residency training—especially in ocular disease, and the dynamics of newly-acquired private practices previously owned by private equity. For optometrists looking to maximize their earnings in White Plains, pursuing advanced training, specializing in high-demand areas, and considering ownership or partnership opportunities may lead to higher financial rewards.
More salary data for White Plains, NY:
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 $157,134 for optometristsin the White Plains 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 White Plains 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