Optometrist Salary in Washington: $157,932 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Washington's 49 metropolitan areas, the average median optometrist pay sits at $157,932/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1041. Because Washington sits at BEA RPP 107.4 (7% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $147,050 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bellevue ($169,455), Seattle ($167,810), Tacoma ($165,011).
In Washington, the average median salary for optometrists is projected to be $157,932 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $140,612 by 12.3%. Bellevue leads the state with the highest salary at $174,471, while Spokane offers the lowest at $129,915, resulting in a significant salary gap of $44,556. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for eye care services, and differing population densities across these cities. Washington's specific licensing requirements are essential for practice. Optometrists must complete a Doctor of Optometry degree and pass national and state examinations. Additionally, the state's scope of practice laws allow optometrists to provide a wide range of eye care services, contributing to increased demand. With a projected annual growth rate of 2.96% for optometrists, the job market in Washington is set to strengthen, driven by an aging population and rising health awareness. Overall, the career outlook for optometrists in Washington indicates a favorable environment, with competitive salaries and a healthy demand for eye care professionals across urban and suburban areas.
Washington Optometrist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Washington: $76,801 (lowest entry-level) to $270,430 (highest top earner)
Washington vs National Average
Washington optometrists earn 12.32% more than the national median (+$17,320/year difference).
Washington Optometrist Salary Distribution (2026)
Optometrist salaries in Washington range from $102,730 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $223,627 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $157,932. The Washington median is $17,320 above the US national median of $140,612. The average hourly rate is $75.93/hr. Approximately 1,121 optometrists are employed across 49 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$121,229
2025 BLS Actual
$153,392
2026 Current Est.
$157,932
2019–2027 Growth
+34.1%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $121,229 | Actual |
| 2020 | $123,378 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,841 | Actual |
| 2022 | $136,197 | Actual |
| 2023 | $147,886 | Actual |
| 2024 | $158,031 | Actual |
| 2025 | $153,392 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $157,932 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $162,607 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 26.5% from $121,229 (2019) to $153,392 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $162,607 by 2027 — a total increase of $41,378 (34.13%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington 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 Washington
Lowest Paying Cities in Washington
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Spokane | $129,915 |
| Spokane Valley | $132,415 |
| Tukwila | $139,589 |
| Mountlake Terrace | $139,804 |
| Vancouver | $141,186 |
Best Value Cities for Optometrists in Washington
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Washington cities offer the most purchasing power for optometrists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue | $174,471 | 107.4 | $162,450 |
| Tacoma | $169,895 | 107.4 | $158,189 |
| Seattle | $172,777 | 111.133 | $155,469 |
| Kennewick | $153,935 | 100.079 | $153,813 |
| Richland | $157,144 | 107.4 | $146,317 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Washington
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $102,730 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $157,932 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $223,627 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Washington metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 49 Cities in Washington
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bellevue | $174,471 |
| 2 | Seattle | $172,777 |
| 3 | Tacoma | $169,895 |
| 4 | Richland | $157,144 |
| 5 | Renton | $154,962 |
| 6 | Kennewick | $153,935 |
| 7 | Everett | $153,461 |
| 8 | Marysville | $152,312 |
| 9 | Shoreline | $151,475 |
| 10 | Bellingham | $150,889 |
| 11 | Redmond | $150,877 |
| 12 | Kent | $150,752 |
| 13 | Kirkland | $150,506 |
| 14 | Burien | $150,314 |
| 15 | Federal Way | $149,654 |
| 16 | Des Moines | $149,621 |
| 17 | Auburn | $149,274 |
| 18 | Lakewood | $149,215 |
| 19 | Issaquah | $149,129 |
| 20 | Tumwater | $148,290 |
| 21 | Sammamish | $148,150 |
| 22 | University Place | $148,099 |
| 23 | SeaTac | $147,981 |
| 24 | Pasco | $147,348 |
| 25 | Longview | $147,278 |
| 26 | Olympia | $146,945 |
| 27 | Mount Vernon | $146,903 |
| 28 | Edmonds | $146,446 |
| 29 | Lake Stevens | $146,059 |
| 30 | Lynnwood | $145,965 |
| 31 | Lacey | $145,740 |
| 32 | Moses Lake | $145,684 |
| 33 | Bothell | $145,579 |
| 34 | Pullman | $144,935 |
| 35 | Puyallup | $144,606 |
| 36 | Ellensburg | $144,064 |
| 37 | Maple Valley | $143,668 |
| 38 | Bremerton | $143,516 |
| 39 | Walla Walla | $143,352 |
| 40 | Camas | $143,305 |
| 41 | Wenatchee | $143,189 |
| 42 | Oak Harbor | $142,701 |
| 43 | Kenmore | $141,780 |
| 44 | Covington | $141,769 |
| 45 | Vancouver | $141,186 |
| 46 | Mountlake Terrace | $139,804 |
| 47 | Tukwila | $139,589 |
| 48 | Spokane Valley | $132,415 |
| 49 | Spokane | $129,915 |
More Washington Salary Data
Compare Cities in Washington
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Washington in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for optometrists in Washington?
How does Washington optometrist pay compare to the national average?
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Which Washington 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 Washington. State averages are employment-weighted across 49 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