Optometrist Salary in Missouri
Based on 630+ workers in Missouri
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (MO)
$133,810
$64.33/hr
vs National Average
$136,108
-1.7% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$65K – $175K
630 employed in Missouri
Salary Distribution — Optometrist in Missouri
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $64,610 |
| 25th percentile | $103,720 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $133,810 |
| 75th percentile | $159,870 |
| 90th percentile | $175,270 |
Top-Paying Industries for Optometrist (U.S.)
Which industries pay Optometrists the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Optometrists in Missouri tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $166,410 | 60 |
| Administrative and Support Services | $160,100 | — |
| Retail Trade | $159,250 | 6K |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $134,370 | 36K |
| Educational Services | $124,280 | 110 |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Optometrist in Missouri vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Missouri) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $120,910 |
| 2023 | $98,800 |
| 2024 | $113,030 |
| 2025 | $133,810 |
| 2026 (projected) | $141,839 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Missouri Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $120,910 | $121,162 |
| 2023 | $98,800 | $129,589 |
| 2024 | $113,030 | $131,624 |
| 2025 | $133,810 | $136,108 |
| 2026 (projected) | $141,839 | $144,274 |
Optometrist Salary by Experience Level in Missouri
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $103,720 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $133,810 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $159,870 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $175,270 |
Optometrist Salary in Other States
Related Optometrist Salaries in Missouri
How other high-demand occupations in Missouri compare to Optometrist ($133,810 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Optometrist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiologist in MO | $648,070 | +384.3% | $311.57/hr |
| Emergency Medicine Physician in MO | $456,280 | +241.0% | $219.37/hr |
| Psychiatrist in MO | $312,680 | +133.7% | $150.33/hr |
| Nurse Anesthetist in MO | $242,630 | +81.3% | $116.65/hr |
| Pediatrician in MO | $223,910 | +67.3% | $107.65/hr |
| Internal Medicine Physician in MO | $216,570 | +61.8% | $104.12/hr |
| Dentist in MO | $204,960 | +53.2% | $98.54/hr |
| Family Medicine Physician in MO | $171,180 | +27.9% | $82.30/hr |
| Pharmacist in MO | $137,610 | +2.8% | $66.16/hr |
| Physician Assistant in MO | $135,130 | +1.0% | $64.97/hr |
| Nurse Midwife in MO | $130,220 | -2.7% | $62.61/hr |
| Podiatrist in MO | $129,950 | -2.9% | $62.48/hr |