Optometrists Salary
Optometrists in Washington make a median of $157,560 a year, or about $75.75 an hour. The range runs from $104K at the entry level to $218K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $154,455 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 18% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $158K get you in Washington?
About optometrists
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for optometrists, local pay runs about 15% higher than the U.S. median of $137K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,830/month, 18.5% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Combined with manageable housing costs, Washington offers a genuinely strong financial position for optometristss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level optometrists (10th percentile) start around $104K. Mid-career wages sit at $158K. Top earners bring in $218K or more, a $114K spread from bottom to top.
Optometrists salary by metro in Washington
4 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $168K | +7% | 420 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $150K | -5% | 30 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $143K | -9% | 40 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $126K | -20% | 60 |
Compare to other states
Track optometrists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a optometrist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $158K, rent takes 18.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for optometrists in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new optometrists typically earn — is $104K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $6,233/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 29% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is optometrist a high-paying job in Washington?
Local pay is 15% above the national median — $158K here vs. $137K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for optometrists?
Washington pays $158K median vs. the U.S. average of $137K — that’s +15%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $154K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do optometrists make in Washington?
The median is $157,560 a year, that works out to about $76 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $103,880, and experienced optometrists can clear $217,900. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $158K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,870/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 18.5% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (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 $154,455 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.