Earnings
Median
annual earnings of salaried optometrists were $96,320 in the most recent
surveys. The middle 50 percent earned between $70,140 and $125,460.
Median annual wages of salaried optometrists in offices of optometrists
were $92,670. Salaried optometrists tend to earn more initially than do
optometrists who set up their own practices. In the long run, however,
those in private practice usually earn more. According to the American
Optometric Association, average annual income for self-employed
optometrists is $175,329.
Self-employed optometrists,
including those in individual, partnerships, and group practice,
continue to earn higher income than those in other settings. Earnings
also vary by group size. For example, practitioners in large group (six
or more) earn $159,300; practitioners in mid-sized groups (three to five
people) earn $179,205; those in small practices (two people) earn
$176,944; and individual practitioners earn an average of $134,094.
Self-employed optometrists must also provide their own benefits.
Practitioners associated with optical chains earn $100,704 on average.
However, they typically enjoy paid vacation, sick leave, and pension
contributions.
Note: Some resources in this section are provided by the US Department
of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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