Optometrists Salary
Optometrists in Massachusetts make a median of $151,730 a year, or about $72.95 an hour. The range runs from $96K at the entry level to $196K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.09), that's roughly $151,594 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,347/month, or 25.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Massachusetts. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $152K get you in Massachusetts?
About optometrists
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Massachusetts
Massachusetts sits well above the national pay line for optometrists, local pay runs about 11% higher than the U.S. median of $137K. Rent runs $2,347/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 26.4% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 100.09) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Massachusetts
Entry-level optometrists (10th percentile) start around $96K. Mid-career wages sit at $152K. Top earners bring in $196K or more, a $101K spread from bottom to top.
Optometrists salary by metro in Massachusetts
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | $155K | +2% | 710 |
| Barnstable Town | $154K | +2% | 30 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton | $151K | -1% | 40 |
| Worcester | $150K | -1% | 90 |
| Springfield | $137K | -10% | 30 |
Compare to other states
Track optometrists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Massachusetts numbers change.
Related careers in Healthcare
Frequently asked questions
Can a optometrist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Massachusetts?
Yes — at the median salary of $152K, rent takes 26.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,347/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for optometrists in Massachusetts?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new optometrists typically earn — is $96K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $5,747/month. At HUD’s $2,347/month FMR, rent would take 41% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is optometrist a high-paying job in Massachusetts?
Local pay is 11% above the national median — $152K here vs. $137K nationally.
How does Massachusetts compare to the national average for optometrists?
Massachusetts pays $152K median vs. the U.S. average of $137K — that’s +11%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 100.09), the purchasing-power equivalent is $152K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do optometrists make in Massachusetts?
The median is $151,730 a year, that works out to about $73 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $95,780, and experienced optometrists can clear $196,470. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $152K enough to live in Massachusetts?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,906/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,347/month, which eats 26.4% 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 Massachusetts?
Massachusetts has a Regional Price Parity of 100.09 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median optometrists salary is worth about $151,594 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.