As examined in our employment snapshot for Optometrists, the major metro areas in the U.S. are the largest employment centers for the profession.  However, looking further into U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data reveals that optometrists often realize better-paying opportunities in smaller metropolitan markets. A review of May 2021 BLS data shows us that only one of the 20 largest metropolitan regions in the nation was among the 20 best metro areas for optometrist pay:

The 20 Best Metro Areas for Optometrist Pay

	Metropolitan Area		# Employed	Mean Annual Wage
1	Wilmington, NC		70	$198,370
2	Hartford - W. Hartford - E. Hartford, CT		120	$172,190
3	Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI		40	$169,140
4	Dothan, AL		40	$166,950
5	Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT		120	$163,590
6	Columbia, MO		40	$162,870
7	St. Louis, MO-IL		480	$157,230
8	Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington (#)		700	$156,650
9	Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX		40	$154,070
10	San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX		360	$150,890
11	Dayton, OH		100	$150,600
12	New Orleans-Metairie, LA		80	$150,010
13	Medford, OR		50	$149,070
14	Tulsa, OK		140	$148,850
15	Columbia, SC		70	$147,820
16	Vallejo-Fairfield, CA		60	$144,720
17	Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ		180	$144,030
18	San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA		360	$143,000
19	Greensboro-High Point, NC		70	$140,910
20	Fayetteville, NC		40	$140,750
	National		38,720	$125,440

Report Period:  May 2021
(#) a Top 20 U.S. Metro areas from the 2020 Census
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Occupational Statistics
Data extracted on December 19, 2022