Optometrists Salary in Salem, OR
Optometrists in Salem, OR make a median of $128,820 a year, or about $61.93 an hour. The range runs from $76K at the entry level to $164K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.65), that's roughly $124,284 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,560/month, or 20.5% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $129K get you in Salem?
About optometrists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Salem, OR
Entry-level optometrists (10th percentile) start around $76K. Mid-career wages sit at $129K.Top earners bring in $164K or more - a $89K 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 Salem numbers change.
Related careers in Healthcare
Frequently asked questions
How much do optometrists make in Salem, OR?
The median is $128,820 a year - that works out to about $61.93 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $75,690, and experienced optometrists can clear $164,320. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $129K enough to live in Salem?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,337/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,560/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 21.3% 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 Salem?
Salem has a Regional Price Parity of 103.65 (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 $124,284 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.