Optometrists pay range in Providence
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $77,210 a year or less, while the top 10% make $215,640 or more. The middle half of optometrists in Providence earn between $122,340 and $171,510.
- $77K10th
- $122K25th
- $140KMedian
- $172K75th
- $216K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $146,130 | $12,178 | $70.25 |
| Median | $139,910 | $11,659 | $67.26 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $122,340 | $10,195 | $58.82 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $171,510 | $14,292 | $82.46 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Optometrists pay in Providence vs. Rhode Island and the U.S.
Optometrists in Providence earn about the same as the Rhode Island average ($145,800) and 3% more than the U.S. average ($141,550). At the median the gap is +2% against the U.S. median of $136,570.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $146,130 | $139,910 | $77,210 | $215,640 | 310 |
| Rhode Island | $145,800 | $134,520 | $71,670 | $215,640 | 250 |
| United States | $141,550 | $136,570 | $74,870 | $202,180 | 42,790 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Optometrists salary after taxes in Providence
On the average salary of $146,130, a single filer in Providence takes home about $105,807 a year, or $8,817 a month and $4,069 every two weeks. Taxes take 28% of gross pay.
The Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in RI | $105,807 | $8,817 |
| Working in MA | $104,159 | $8,680 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Rhode Island's Temporary Disability Insurance payroll contribution is not included.
Is Providence a good place for optometrists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Providence area are 2% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 101.8), so the average $146,130 buys what about $143,584 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Providence ($53,680). A typical home costs $524,867, or 3.6 years of this average salary before tax.
Optometrists salary in nearby metro areas
- Worcester, MA$147,800
- Boston, MA$156,260
- Barnstable, MA$156,380
- Hartford, CT$145,870
- Springfield, MA$140,490
- Amherst, MA$143,250
Highest-paying cities for optometrists
Roanoke, VA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($219,610).
- Roanoke, VA$219,610
- Wilmington, NC$204,680
- Trenton, NJ$186,160
- Fort Collins, CO$183,350
- Santa Rosa, CA$172,860
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Optometrists salary in Providence: questions
How much do optometrists make an hour in Providence?
$70.25 an hour on average, and $67.26 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level optometrists salary in Providence?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $77,210 a year and the 25th percentile is $122,340, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the optometrists take-home pay in Providence?
About $105,807 a year ($8,817 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $146,130. Rhode Island's Temporary Disability Insurance payroll contribution is not included.
Do optometrists earn more in Providence than elsewhere?
The average here is 3% more than the U.S. average for this job ($141,550).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-1041; area Providence-Warwick, RI-MA (39300). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.2%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Rhode Island's Temporary Disability Insurance payroll contribution is not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.60, this job is 1.6 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.