Optometrist Salary in Pennsylvania: $148,184 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Pennsylvania's 24 metropolitan areas, the average median optometrist pay sits at $148,184/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1041. Because Pennsylvania sits at BEA RPP 97.4 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $152,140 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bethlehem ($154,310), Philadelphia ($153,980), Allentown ($150,640).
For individuals considering a career in optometry within Pennsylvania, the projected average median salary for 2026 is $148,184, which is 5.4% higher than the national median of $140,612. This indicates that optometrists in Pennsylvania can expect a strong earning potential relative to their peers nationwide. The highest-paying city in the state is Bethlehem, with a salary of $158,878, while West Chester offers the lowest at $129,386. The significant salary gap of $29,492 between these cities may be attributed to factors such as local demand for eye care services, cost of living differences, and the concentration of patients seeking optometric care. In Pennsylvania, optometrists must meet specific licensing requirements and comply with state scope of practice laws, which can impact their roles and responsibilities. The demand for optometry services is expected to grow, with a projected annual growth rate of 2.96%, driven by factors such as an aging population and increasing awareness of eye health. With a total of 1,830 optometrists employed across 24 metro areas, the job market presents various opportunities, particularly in high-paying cities like Philadelphia, Allentown, Easton, and Reading, making it a viable option for aspiring practitioners.
Pennsylvania Optometrist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Pennsylvania: $75,598 (lowest entry-level) to $231,303 (highest top earner)
Pennsylvania vs National Average
Pennsylvania optometrists earn 5.39% more than the national median (+$7,572/year difference).
Pennsylvania Optometrist Salary Distribution (2026)
Optometrist salaries in Pennsylvania range from $94,640 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $190,377 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $148,184. The Pennsylvania median is $7,572 above the US national median of $140,612. The average hourly rate is $71.24/hr. Approximately 1,830 optometrists are employed across 24 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$122,301
2025 BLS Actual
$143,924
2026 Current Est.
$148,184
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Pennsylvania (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $122,301 | Actual |
| 2020 | $127,207 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,893 | Actual |
| 2022 | $131,084 | Actual |
| 2023 | $143,064 | Actual |
| 2024 | $131,044 | Actual |
| 2025 | $143,924 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $148,184 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $152,570 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pennsylvania metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 17.7% from $122,301 (2019) to $143,924 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $152,570 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,269 (24.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
Lowest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| West Chester | $129,386 |
| Pottstown | $130,342 |
| Johnstown | $131,392 |
| State College | $131,789 |
| Chambersburg | $132,150 |
Best Value Cities for Optometrists in Pennsylvania
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Pennsylvania cities offer the most purchasing power for optometrists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethlehem | $158,878 | 97.4 | $163,119 |
| Easton | $152,437 | 97.4 | $156,506 |
| Allentown | $155,099 | 99.968 | $155,149 |
| Philadelphia | $158,538 | 102.554 | $154,590 |
| Erie | $138,203 | 90.95 | $151,955 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Pennsylvania
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $94,640 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $148,184 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $190,377 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Pennsylvania metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 24 Cities in Pennsylvania
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bethlehem | $158,878 |
| 2 | Philadelphia | $158,538 |
| 3 | Allentown | $155,099 |
| 4 | Easton | $152,437 |
| 5 | Reading | $143,526 |
| 6 | York | $138,986 |
| 7 | Erie | $138,203 |
| 8 | Harrisburg | $137,781 |
| 9 | Scranton | $136,947 |
| 10 | Williamsport | $136,905 |
| 11 | Lancaster | $136,278 |
| 12 | Lebanon | $136,165 |
| 13 | Wilkes-Barre | $136,004 |
| 14 | Hazleton | $134,116 |
| 15 | Norristown | $133,858 |
| 16 | Pittsburgh | $133,745 |
| 17 | Chester | $133,547 |
| 18 | Altoona | $133,001 |
| 19 | New Castle | $132,223 |
| 20 | Chambersburg | $132,150 |
| 21 | State College | $131,789 |
| 22 | Johnstown | $131,392 |
| 23 | Pottstown | $130,342 |
| 24 | West Chester | $129,386 |
More Pennsylvania Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore optometrist hourly pay in Pennsylvania cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced optometrists.
Compare Cities in Pennsylvania
View all comparisons →Explore More Optometrist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Pennsylvania in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for optometrists in Pennsylvania?
How does Pennsylvania optometrist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level optometrist salary in Pennsylvania?
How many optometrists are employed in Pennsylvania?
Which Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania. State averages are employment-weighted across 24 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