Optometrist Salary in Yonkers, NY: $170,500 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Yonkers, NY earns a median $170,500/year (≈ $81.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Yonkers's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $147,110 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Yonkers, NY, the 2026 median annual salary for optometrists is projected at $170,500, significantly surpassing the national median of $140,612 by 21.26%. This figure reflects the diverse structural choices within the optometric field, including private practices, retail chains, and potential collaboration with ophthalmology practices. The salary range for optometrists in this area stretches from $98,890 at the 10th percentile to a remarkable $264,275 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust opportunity for earnings expansion depending on one's practice model and additional training. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, highlight the competitive landscape for optometry professionals in the city, driven by both demand for eye care services and the local economy's overall health.
About the Yonkers Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($150,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $98,890 | $47.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $133,024 | $63.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $170,500 | $81.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $213,943 | $102.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $264,275 | $127.05 |
Median Salary Position
21.26% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Yonkers
In Yonkers, NY, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $165,385 (2026 est.). At $170,500, the local median is 21.26% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Yonkers: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Yonkers Optometrist Pay Compares
Yonkers median: $170,500/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Yonkers Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $166,179 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +21.26% more |
Optometrists in Yonkers, NY earn a median of $170,500 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.26% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.60% above the New York state average of $166,179.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Yonkers has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Yonkers, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $170,500 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $147,110 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$139,746
2025 BLS Actual
$165,598
2026 Current Est.
$170,500
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Yonkers (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $139,746 | Actual |
| 2020 | $143,142 | Actual |
| 2021 | $150,720 | Actual |
| 2022 | $152,284 | Actual |
| 2023 | $159,887 | Actual |
| 2024 | $178,328 | Actual |
| 2025 | $165,598 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $170,500 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $175,546 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Yonkers metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $139,746 (2019) to $165,598 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $175,546 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,800 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Yonkers 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) | $98,890 – $133,024 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $133,024 – $170,500 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $170,500 – $213,943 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $213,943 – $264,275 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Yonkers
With 45 optometrists currently practicing in Yonkers, the job market appears stable, yet the cost of living index stands at 115.9, indicating higher expenses compared to the national average. This pressures take-home pay and overall purchasing power. Among local employers, private optometry practices, especially those aligned with advanced residency training in ocular disease or working within the OD/MD model, tend to offer higher compensation. Practice ownership and the integration of new technologies often drive higher salaries, while retail chains may lag behind in total compensation packages. Optometrists considering their career trajectory in Yonkers should consider specializing and obtaining residency training to enhance earning potential, while also exploring ownership opportunities as a viable strategy for maximizing optometrist pay in Yonkers, NY.
More salary data for Yonkers, 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 $165,598 for optometristsin the Yonkers 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 Yonkers 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