West Virginia Median
$118,010
per year
Hourly Rate
$56.74
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-14% vs US median
US median $136,570
State Rank
#45 of 51
150 employed here
How much does an Optometrist make in West Virginia?
An Optometrist working in West Virginia earns a median salary of $118,010 per year, or about $56.74 per hour. That is 14% below the national median of $136,570 for this occupation.
Within West Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $69,830 while the top 10% make $198,570 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $98,710 and $161,820 a year.
Optometrist salary range in West Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,830 | $33.57 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $98,710 | $47.46 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $118,010 | $56.74 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $161,820 | $77.80 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $198,570 | $95.47 |
|
How West Virginia compares
West Virginia ranks 45th out of 51 states and territories for Optometrist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Optometrist salary in other states
Alaska $170,310Maryland $165,840North Carolina $161,560Delaware $161,270New York $161,140New Jersey $159,040Minnesota $158,700Washington $157,560Hawaii $154,620Maine $154,110Colorado $152,000Massachusetts $151,730Florida $151,670Connecticut $150,340South Carolina $145,950Illinois $145,620Alabama $145,090New Mexico $144,660Wisconsin $139,720Kansas $138,580Vermont $137,290California $136,300Michigan $135,650Nevada $135,650Indiana $135,500Pennsylvania $135,400Ohio $134,850District of Columbia $134,840Rhode Island $134,520Tennessee $134,170Missouri $133,810North Dakota $132,110Oregon $132,020Virginia $131,570Kentucky $128,860Georgia $128,830Texas $126,000New Hampshire $125,560Iowa $125,380Nebraska $125,040Arkansas $124,470Arizona $122,250Utah $119,070Louisiana $118,060Wyoming $111,400Mississippi $108,070Montana $104,280Idaho $103,390South Dakota $102,320Oklahoma $97,350
Working as an Optometrist in West Virginia
Nationally, about 43,000 people work as Optometrists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare West Virginia pay ($118,010) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Optometrist make in West Virginia?
The median Optometrist salary in West Virginia is $118,010 per year, or about $56.74 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $69,830 at the entry level to $198,570 for the top 10% of earners.
How does West Virginia pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia pays Optometrists about 14% less than the national median of $136,570. West Virginia ranks 45th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is West Virginia a good state for Optometrists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $118,010 a year. About 150 Optometrists are employed in West Virginia. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in West Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in West Virginia include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($597,740), Emergency Medicine Physician ($491,230), Radiologist ($471,650), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Optometrist salary report
Related salaries
$100,040
median pay · 4,000 employed
$160,300
median pay · 10,000 employed
$95,780
median pay · 14,000 employed
$97,870
median pay · 183,000 employed
$170,950
median pay · 124,000 employed
$100,330
median pay · 162,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.