Optometrists Salary in Birmingham, AL
Optometrists in Birmingham, AL make a median of $137,050 a year, or about $65.89 an hour. The range runs from $73K at the entry level to $188K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.64), which stretches that salary to about $149,553 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,266/month, or 15.2% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $137K get you in Birmingham?
About optometrists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Birmingham, AL
Entry-level optometrists (10th percentile) start around $73K. Mid-career wages sit at $137K.Top earners bring in $188K or more - a $115K spread from bottom to top.
Optometrists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $166K | +23% | 70 |
| New York | $163K | +21% | 2,500 |
| Maryland | $158K | +17% | 870 |
| Washington | $158K | +17% | 930 |
| Vermont | $156K | +16% | 100 |
| New Jersey | $156K | +16% | 950 |
| New Mexico | $155K | +15% | 140 |
| District of Columbia | $154K | +14% | 60 |
| North Carolina | $154K | +14% | 1,400 |
| Massachusetts | $151K | +12% | 1,120 |
| Minnesota | $150K | +11% | 700 |
| Nevada | $147K | +9% | 360 |
| Rhode Island | $144K | +7% | 220 |
| Connecticut | $143K | +6% | 410 |
| Delaware | $138K | +2% | 180 |
Track optometrists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Birmingham numbers change.
Related careers in Healthcare
Frequently asked questions
How much do optometrists make in Birmingham, AL?
The median is $137,050 a year - that works out to about $65.89 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $72,720, and experienced optometrists can clear $187,870. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $137K enough to live in Birmingham?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,145/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,266/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 15.5% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a optometrists salary go in Birmingham?
Birmingham has a Regional Price Parity of 91.64 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median optometrists salary is worth about $149,553 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do optometrists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.