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Optometric assistant salary
Average optometric assistant salary
$98,734
Understanding Optometric Assistant Salaries
As of October 2025, the average salary for an optometric assistant stands at $98,734 per year, translating to approximately $47 per hour. This figure can fluctuate based on factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and specific job duties. For instance, optometric assistants in high-demand states often receive higher compensation due to the competitive job market.
Experience also plays a crucial role in salary determination. Entry-level optometric assistants may start with lower salaries, while those with several years of experience or specialized training can command significantly higher wages. Additionally, working in specialized settings or clinics can lead to increased earning potential.
To further understand the salary landscape, it is beneficial to examine salary estimates from various sources. Websites like Zippia provide insights into average salaries across different states, helping job seekers identify regions where they can earn the most. Understanding these dynamics can assist you in making informed career decisions, whether you are entering the field or seeking advancement within your current role.
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Where can an Optometric Assistant earn more?
Optometric assistant salaries by experience level
Optometric assistant salary estimates from across the web
Average optometric assistant salary by state
The average optometric assistant salary in Massachusetts, Maryland, and Connecticut are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average optometric assistant salary states are Hawaii, Wyoming, and South Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for optometric assistants
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $145,221 | $69.82 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $118,278 | $56.86 |
| 3 | Maine | $113,084 | $54.37 |
| 4 | Ohio | $113,439 | $54.54 |
| 5 | Maryland | $128,044 | $61.56 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $116,417 | $55.97 |
| 7 | Washington | $109,697 | $52.74 |
| 8 | New Hampshire | $108,984 | $52.40 |
| 9 | Michigan | $101,735 | $48.91 |
| 10 | New York | $111,509 | $53.61 |
| 11 | Iowa | $113,827 | $54.72 |
| 12 | New Jersey | $109,253 | $52.53 |
| 13 | Utah | $98,920 | $47.56 |
| 14 | Oregon | $105,282 | $50.62 |
| 15 | California | $114,996 | $55.29 |
| 16 | Wisconsin | $93,976 | $45.18 |
| 17 | District of Columbia | $120,429 | $57.90 |
| 18 | Minnesota | $101,624 | $48.86 |
| 19 | Illinois | $102,749 | $49.40 |
| 20 | Vermont | $109,620 | $52.70 |
| 21 | New Mexico | $96,748 | $46.51 |
| 22 | Pennsylvania | $89,571 | $43.06 |
| 23 | Nevada | $97,904 | $47.07 |
| 24 | Arizona | $89,346 | $42.95 |
| 25 | Kansas | $92,551 | $44.50 |
| 26 | Indiana | $83,612 | $40.20 |
| 27 | Idaho | $93,300 | $44.86 |
| 28 | Kentucky | $85,589 | $41.15 |
| 29 | Colorado | $89,690 | $43.12 |
| 30 | Texas | $86,420 | $41.55 |
| 31 | Oklahoma | $84,631 | $40.69 |
| 32 | Nebraska | $85,927 | $41.31 |
| 33 | Montana | $85,301 | $41.01 |
| 34 | Delaware | $91,838 | $44.15 |
| 35 | North Dakota | $86,514 | $41.59 |
| 36 | Alaska | $79,117 | $38.04 |
| 37 | Virginia | $91,519 | $44.00 |
| 38 | West Virginia | $79,811 | $38.37 |
| 39 | South Dakota | $83,446 | $40.12 |
| 40 | Louisiana | $77,704 | $37.36 |
| 41 | North Carolina | $79,592 | $38.27 |
| 42 | Missouri | $83,717 | $40.25 |
| 43 | Tennessee | $77,449 | $37.24 |
| 44 | Georgia | $80,861 | $38.88 |
| 45 | South Carolina | $75,065 | $36.09 |
| 46 | Florida | $72,026 | $34.63 |
| 47 | Mississippi | $81,964 | $39.41 |
| 48 | Hawaii | $75,782 | $36.43 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $74,351 | $35.75 |
| 50 | Wyoming | $75,214 | $36.16 |
| 51 | Alabama | $69,950 | $33.63 |
Highest paying cities for optometric assistants
The highest-paying cities for optometric assistants are Baltimore, MD, Fremont, CA, and Washington, DC.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baltimore, MD | $129,297 | $62.16 |
| 2 | Fremont, CA | $127,481 | $61.29 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $120,845 | $58.10 |
| 4 | Hamden, CT | $118,501 | $56.97 |
| 5 | Akron, OH | $116,263 | $55.90 |
| 6 | Lakewood, WA | $109,953 | $52.86 |
| 7 | Bolingbrook, IL | $102,757 | $49.40 |
| 8 | Clinton, MI | $102,651 | $49.35 |
| 9 | Reston, VA | $94,979 | $45.66 |
| 10 | Colorado Springs, CO | $90,175 | $43.35 |
| 11 | Fargo, ND | $87,911 | $42.26 |
| 12 | Conroe, TX | $86,157 | $41.42 |
| 13 | Greensboro, NC | $80,355 | $38.63 |
| 14 | Memphis, TN | $76,172 | $36.62 |
Optometric assistant salary details
An optometric assistant's salary ranges from $66,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $147,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an optometric assistant's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $147,000 | $12,250 | $71 |
| 75th Percentile | $121,000 | $10,083 | $58 |
| Average | $98,734 | $8,228 | $47 |
| 25th Percentile | $79,000 | $6,583 | $38 |
| 10th Percentile | $66,000 | $5,500 | $32 |
Highest paying optometric assistant jobs
The highest paying types of optometric assistants are medical assistant instructor, medical research assistant, and lead medical assistant.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optical Technician | $36,908 | $3,076 | $17.74 | 29,866 |
| Medical Assisting Extern | $35,737 | $2,978 | $17.18 | 81,077 |
| Optometric Technician | $30,928 | $2,577 | $14.87 | 33,412 |
Top companies hiring optometric assistants now:
Which companies pay optometric assistants the most?
Optometric assistant salaries at QPS and GPAC are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average optometric assistant salary at companies like Pearle Vision and AxessPointe Community Health Centers are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | QPS | $83,968 | $40.37 |
| 2 | GPAC | $82,096 | $39.47 |
| 3 | Pearle Vision | $80,586 | $38.74 |
| 4 | AxessPointe Community Health Centers | $76,384 | $36.72 |
| 5 | Eye Center of Texas | $72,562 | $34.89 |
| 6 | The Eye Care Group | $71,756 | $34.50 |
| 7 | Kaiser Permanente | $70,314 | $33.80 |
| 8 | ALLEGANY | $60,937 | $29.30 |
| 9 | Sanford Health | $53,049 | $25.50 |
| 10 | Henry Ford Health System | $52,995 | $25.48 |
| 11 | Henry Ford Village | $40,647 | $19.54 |
| 12 | The Henry Ford | $35,871 | $17.25 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Optometric Assistant salary by industry
The average optometric assistant salary varies across industries:
- The average optometric assistant salary in the manufacturing industry is $82,759, the highest of any industry.
- The average optometric assistant salary in the finance industry is $81,446.
- Optometric assistants in the health care industry earn an average salary of $63,625, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for optometric assistants
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manufacturing | $82,759 | $39.79 |
| 2 | Construction | $81,446 | $39.16 |
| 3 | Retail | $65,873 | $31.67 |
| 4 | Health Care | $63,625 | $30.59 |
High paying optometric assistant jobs
Optometric assistant salary trends
The average optometric assistant salary has risen by $18,590 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average optometric assistant earned $80,144 annually, but today, they earn $98,734 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for optometric assistants over the last decade.
Compare optometric assistant salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average optometric assistant salary over time
Compare optometric assistant salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Optometric assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $98,700 | $47.47 | +2.9% |
| 2024 | $95,800 | $46.08 | +3.4% |
| 2023 | $92,600 | $44.50 | +3.4% |
| 2022 | $89,500 | $43.01 | +2.9% |
| 2021 | $86,900 | $41.76 | +3.0% |
Recently added optometric assistant salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanford Health | Associate Optometric Assistant-| Sanford Health | Fargo, ND | 06/30/2025 | $34,436 |
| Sanford Health | Associate Optometric Assistant-PRN | Sanford Health | Thief River Falls, MN | 06/30/2025 | $34,436 |
| Walmart | Optometric Assistant | Deptford, NJ | 06/25/2025 | $40,697 |
| Walmart | Optometric Assistant | Vermillion, SD | 06/21/2025 | $35,479 |
| Walmart | Optometric Assistant | Greenville, SC | 06/11/2025 | $37,566 |
| Hero Practice Services | Optometric Assistant | Commerce City, CO | 06/11/2025 | $33,392 |
| Vision Source | Optometric Assistant | Edwardsville, IL | 06/04/2025 | $37,566 |
| Hero Practice Services | Optometric Assistant | Baltimore, MD | 05/16/2025 | $31,305 |
| Hero Practice Services | Optometric Assistant | Colorado Springs, CO | 05/09/2025 | $33,392 |
| Walmart | Optometric Assistant | Oak Grove, MO | 05/08/2025 | $31,305 |
Optometric assistant salary FAQs
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