Optometrist Salary in Pittsburgh, PA: $133,745 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Pittsburgh, PA earns a median $133,745/year (≈ $64.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Pittsburgh's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.7), that paycheck buys what $141,273 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $133,745, which reflects a slight decline compared to the national median of $140,612. This compensation framework exhibits a range of salaries from $97,565 at the lower end (P10) to $169,524 at the upper end (P90). These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, contextualize the earnings within a city where the scope of practice allows for advanced procedures like glaucoma management and prescription of oral medications. The competitive nature of the job market, along with the growing opportunities in the field, indicates a dynamic environment for optometrists in Pittsburgh.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,565 | $46.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $121,081 | $58.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,745 | $64.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,540 | $79.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $169,524 | $81.50 |
Median Salary Position
4.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pittsburgh
In Pittsburgh, PA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,959 (2026 est.). At $133,745, the local median is 4.88% below the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Pittsburgh: You'd be above the median
How Pittsburgh Optometrist Pay Compares
Pittsburgh median: $133,745/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pittsburgh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $138,166 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -4.88% less |
Optometrists in Pittsburgh, PA earn a median of $133,745 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.88% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.20% below the Pennsylvania state average of $138,166.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pittsburgh has a cost of living 5.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pittsburgh, PA has a cost-of-living index of 94.671 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $133,745 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $141,273 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.63% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,280
2025 BLS Actual
$129,900
2026 Current Est.
$133,745
2019–2027 Growth
+20.5%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Pittsburgh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,280 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,280 | Actual |
| 2021 | $104,240 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $139,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,745 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,704 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 13.7% from $114,280 (2019) to $129,900 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,704 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,424 (20.50%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pittsburgh 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) | $97,565 – $121,081 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $121,081 – $133,745 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,745 – $164,540 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,540 – $169,524 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Pittsburgh
The local job market shows promise, with approximately 340 optometrists currently employed in the region. However, the cost of living index stands at 94.671, which is below the national average, thereby enhancing purchasing power for professionals in this field. Employers such as private optometry practices, ophthalmology clinics, and military health systems tend to offer the highest compensation. The income disparity can often be traced back to various factors like practice ownership equity, partnerships with ophthalmologists, and the value of additional residency training. Optometrists looking to maximize their pay in Pittsburgh should consider specializing in ocular disease, aligning with ophthalmology practices, or exploring employment with private equity-owned practices that may offer competitive post-acquisition salaries. Understanding these dynamics can empower professionals to make informed decisions in their careers.
More salary data for Pittsburgh, PA:
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 $129,900 for optometristsin the Pittsburgh 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
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