US
New York, NY
New York salary market
$180K
Avg / Year
+33% vs U.S.
vs National
2,410
Employment
$15.0K
Monthly Avg
Updated for 2026

Optometrist Salary in New York, NY (2026)

The Optometrist salary in New York, NY for 2026 is presented as a modeled salary benchmark built from the latest official BLS wage baseline, then extended with wage trend history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available. This guide compares the New York, NY market with the U.S. baseline and breaks projected pay down by experience, skills, industry, and nearby markets.

Official BLS baseline: 2024New York, NY city pageModeled salary guide10 min read
City Average
$180K
per year
Entry Level
$118K
starting range
Senior Level
$187K
upper local band
Remote / Hybrid
$184K
modeled local premium
Monthly
$15.0K
avg before tax
Hourly Rate
$77
median equivalent
Salary figures projected to 2026  from May 2024BLS OEWS baseline  ·  Projections use wage history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available
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Optometrist Salary Overview in New York, NY

Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places Optometrist pay in New York, NY at about $179,997 per year. On the latest official BLS baseline for this market, the lower local range starts near $105,100, while the strongest-paid professionals can reach about $195,670.

Salary estimates are based on data from the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan area, which includes nearby cities such as Newark, and Jersey City.

If you’re comparing Optometrist salaries in New York, NY, the real story isn’t just the headline number. Local employer mix, seniority, specialization, and whether the role is remote, hybrid, or onsite can push compensation well above or below the local median.

New York, NY vs. U.S. National Average

New York, NY pays +33% vs u.s. for Optometrist roles. The difference is driven by local employer demand, industry mix, cost pressures, and how concentrated this role is in the underlying metro labor market.

United States National Average
$135K
all U.S. markets combined
+33%
New York, NY Premium
New York, NY City Average
$180K
Optometrist
MarketProjected Salaryvs New York, NYMarket Maturity
New York, NY (this guide)$179,997BaselineLocal market
United States$134,830-25% vs U.S.National baseline
Syracuse, NY$163,400-9% vs U.S.Comparable city
Albany, NY$161,120-10% vs U.S.Comparable city
Buffalo, NY$160,390-11% vs U.S.Comparable city
Why New York, NY pay differsThe strongest city salary premiums usually appear where employers compete for specialized talent, where the role is concentrated, and where local costs make compensation harder to hold down.

Optometrist Salary by Experience Level in New York, NY

Experience changes the local salary picture quickly because employers usually pay for independence, specialization, and broader scope, not just years on paper. In New York, NY, this breakdown shows how aOptometrist can move from early-career pay into stronger bands as the role becomes more self-directed.

Entry-Level
0-2 years
$163K
$87/hr median equivalent
$118K - $180K
Mid-Level
3-5 years
$180K
$87/hr median equivalent
$163K - $187K
Senior
6-10 years
$187K
$87/hr median equivalent
$180K - $219K
Lead / Principal
10+ years
$219K
$87/hr median equivalent
$187K - $268K
LevelExperienceProjected SalaryProjected RangeMarket Signal
Entry-Level Optometrist0-2 years$163,267$117,853 - $179,997+21% vs U.S.
Mid-Level Optometrist3-5 years$179,997$163,267 - $187,084+33% vs U.S.
Senior Optometrist6-10 years$187,084$179,997 - $219,412+39% vs U.S.
Lead / Principal Optometrist10+ years$219,412$187,084 - $267,682+63% vs U.S.
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Best Salary Areas Near New York, NY

Nearby metro areas help show how Optometrist pay changes around New York, NY. Each market reflects its own employer mix, local demand, and industry concentration, making these comparisons useful for candidates weighing their location options.

#1
New York, NY
$180K
avg / year
Salary estimates are based on data from the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan area, which includes nearby cities such as Newark, and Jersey City.
This guide
#2
Syracuse, NY
$163K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Optometrist salaries around New York, NY.
-9% vs U.S.
#3
Albany, NY
$161K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Optometrist salaries around New York, NY.
-10% vs U.S.
#4
Buffalo, NY
$160K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Optometrist salaries around New York, NY.
-11% vs U.S.
#5
Kiryas Joel, NY
$147K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Optometrist salaries around New York, NY.
-18% vs U.S.

Optometrist Salary by Industry in New York, NY

Industry premiums in New York, NY usually come from employers that place the Optometrist role close to revenue, infrastructure, compliance, product delivery, or other high-value work. National industry data gives the best available benchmark until local industry slices are available.

IndustryModeled SalaryReference RangeSignal
Management of Companies and Enterprises$163,040$139,640 - $163,050Stronger salary
Administrative, Support, Waste Management, and Remediation Services$160,260$75,250.0 - $169,040Stronger salary
Retail Trade$156,790$89,990.0 - $182,630Stronger salary
Health Care and Social Assistance$132,840$68,660.0 - $207,990Competitive
Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$114,090$44,470.0 - $162,660Competitive
Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$113,030$44,370.0 - $158,680Competitive
Educational Services$107,840$36,450.0 - $175,740Competitive

Entry-Level Optometrist Salary in New York, NY

Entry-level Optometrist jobs in New York, NY are modeled around the lower local wage percentiles. Candidates who can show practical projects, job-ready tools, and strong fundamentals usually have a better path into the middle of the local salary range.

For a broader starting-pay benchmark beyond this city market, see the entry-level Optometrist salary guide.

Entry estimateA reasonable entry-level salary benchmark for Optometrist roles in New York, NY is about $163,267.
Preparation pathJob Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed. Typical education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). Training signal: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Remote vs Onsite Optometrist Pay in New York, NY

Remote work can widen the employer pool for Optometrist candidates in New York, NY. Onsite and hybrid roles may still pay more when employers need local availability, local clients, regulated work, or team coverage.

Local Onsite Role
$179,997
avg local employer
Hybrid Role
$183,597
modeled local premium
+2% local avg
Work TypeEstimated SalaryExperienceBest FitFlexibility
Remote$176,397Market dependentNational hiring poolsHigh
Hybrid$183,597Metro dependentNew York, NY employersMedium
Onsite$179,997Location dependentLocal teams and operationsLower

Cost of Living vs Salary in New York, NY

A salary in New York, NY should be read alongside housing, commuting, tax, and everyday costs. The same annual pay can feel very different at entry, mid-level, and senior levels.

Monthly Expense
Entry
Mid
Senior
Housing / rent
$2.4K
$3.3K
$4.2K
Transport / commute
$525.0
$600.0
$675.0
Food and groceries
$1.1K
$1.2K
$1.3K
Utilities and internet
$525.0
$600.0
$675.0
Estimated remainder
$5.1K
$7.8K
$9.6K
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Top Employers Hiring Optometrists in New York, NY

Employer mix is one of the biggest city-level salary drivers. The industries below highlight where Optometrist pay tends to be strongest in New York, NY, based on the sectors that create the most hiring demand for this role.

1
Management of Companies and Enterprises employers
$163K
Industry benchmark for Optometrist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
2
Administrative, Support, Waste Management, and Remediation Services employers
$160K
Industry benchmark for Optometrist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
3
Retail Trade employers
$157K
Industry benchmark for Optometrist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
4
Health Care and Social Assistance employers
$133K
Industry benchmark for Optometrist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
5
Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service employers
$114K
Industry benchmark for Optometrist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
6
Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service employers
$113K
Industry benchmark for Optometrist roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.

New York, NY Compared With Other U.S. Cities

This comparison is useful when one city salary number is not enough on its own. It shows whetherNew York, NY is genuinely a stronger-paying market for Optometrist work or whether the local benchmark sits closer to the broader national middle.

New York, NY
This guide
$180K
Baseline
Syracuse, NY
Nearby U.S. market
$163K
-9% vs U.S.
Albany, NY
Nearby U.S. market
$161K
-10% vs U.S.
Buffalo, NY
Nearby U.S. market
$160K
-11% vs U.S.
Kiryas Joel, NY
Nearby U.S. market
$147K
-18% vs U.S.
Rochester, NY
Nearby U.S. market
$140K
-22% vs U.S.
Binghamton, NY
Nearby U.S. market
$122K
-32% vs U.S.

Career Growth Opportunities in New York, NY

Local career growth is strongest when it is read through both the city salary ladder and the broader national demand outlook. The city salary benchmark shows what this market currently pays, while the career path and BLS demand data show how that benchmark can expand with scope and responsibility.

1
Intern / Trainee
$78.2K - $105K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
2
Junior
$97.1K - $128K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
3
Mid Level
$121K - $151K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
4
Senior
$146K - $189K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
5
Lead
$173K - $218K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
6
Principal / Architect
$202K - $276K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
BLS Demand SignalEmployment is projected to change by 8.0% from 2024 to 2034.
Much faster than averageAnnual openings: 2.4 thousand.
Metric2026 Outlook
Projected employment47.8k → 51.6k
Typical educationMost of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Related experienceExtensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Local market anchor2,410 jobs with a median of $179,997

Factors Affecting Optometrist Salary in New York, NY

Local pay rarely moves for one reason alone. In city markets, the biggest differences usually come from employer concentration, industry mix, seniority, and whether the role is tied to business-critical work that is harder to staff.

Years of Experience
Salary usually rises as the role moves from entry-level execution to independent ownership, mentoring, and broader decision-making.
Location and Cost of Living
Local salary ranges vary by labor market, employer density, and household-income context.
Industry
Industry pay can vary when employers in higher-margin or harder-to-staff sectors compete for the same occupation.
Specialized Skills
O*NET marks high-demand role-specific skills as relevant skills for this role, making them useful anchors for specialization and salary-growth content.

How to Increase Your Optometrist Salary in New York, NY

In city markets, salary growth often comes from better positioning as much as from patience. These moves are most useful when you already understand the local benchmark and want a clearer path beyond it.

1
Benchmark against stronger markets
Compare national, metro, and industry salary facts before negotiating so your target range is grounded in current wage data.
1-3 months timeline
2
Build a visible specialization
Prioritize skills such as high-demand role-specific skills; O*NET relevance scores make these good first candidates for portfolio and resume positioning.
3-9 months timeline
3
Target higher-paying industries
Use industry salary facts to identify sectors that already pay above the occupation baseline.
2-6 months timeline
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Optometrist Salary in New York, NY: FAQs

These questions usually come up after readers compare the city benchmark, the statewide picture, and the local experience ladder. They help clarify how to read the market and what matters most when you compare this city with other options.

These FAQs focus on how readers searching for "Optometrist" usually compare local pay, employer mix, and market differences in this city.

What is the average Optometrist in New York, NYs salary?
The latest national baseline for Optometrists is about $134,800 per year, based on the current BLS-derived salary facts in CareerClev.
What is the entry-level Optometrist in New York, NYs salary?
Entry-level estimates for Optometrists are modeled around the lower BLS percentile range, currently about $70,100 per year nationally.
How much can senior Optometrist in New York, NYs professionals earn?
Senior Optometrists estimates are modeled from upper percentile wage bands and currently sit around $163,700 per year nationally.
Does location affect Optometrist in New York, NYs salary?
Yes. CareerClev stores salary facts by national, state, and metro locations, so location-specific pages should use the closest available geography instead of a single national number.
Which skills matter for Optometrist in New York, NYs salary growth?
CareerClev uses O*NET skill importance and level scores to identify role-relevant skills. These are useful for recommendations, but should not be presented as measured salary premiums unless enriched compensation data exists.
Data
Data Sources & MethodologyUpdated using 2024 BLS OEWS salary facts, O*NET occupation-skill data, Census location context where available, ILOSTAT country benchmarks where mapped, BLS Employment Projections where imported, and Stack Overflow Developer Survey enrichment for mapped tech roles.
Salary figures use BLS OEWS wage facts for 2024. City pages use the BLS metropolitan area as the salary dataset, display the largest city as the public page name, and model experience bands from local wage percentiles.
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