Optometrist Salary in Montana
Based on 140+ workers in Montana
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (MT)
$104,280
$50.13/hr
vs National Average
$136,108
-23.4% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$58K – $163K
140 employed in Montana
Salary Distribution — Optometrist in Montana
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $58,450 |
| 25th percentile | $60,870 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $104,280 |
| 75th percentile | $132,580 |
| 90th percentile | $163,030 |
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 Montana 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 Montana vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Montana) |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $108,950 |
| 2024 | $108,600 |
| 2025 | $104,280 |
| 2026 (projected) | $104,280 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Montana Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $108,950 | $129,589 |
| 2024 | $108,600 | $131,624 |
| 2025 | $104,280 | $136,108 |
| 2026 (projected) | $104,280 | $136,108 |
Optometrist Salary by Experience Level in Montana
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $60,870 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $104,280 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $132,580 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $163,030 |
Optometrist Salary in Other States
Related Optometrist Salaries in Montana
How other high-demand occupations in Montana compare to Optometrist ($104,280 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Optometrist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radiologist in MT | $360,330 | +245.5% | $173.24/hr |
| Family Medicine Physician in MT | $330,760 | +217.2% | $159.02/hr |
| Nurse Anesthetist in MT | $277,380 | +166.0% | $133.36/hr |
| Pediatrician in MT | $273,260 | +162.0% | $131.38/hr |
| Dentist in MT | $167,200 | +60.3% | $80.38/hr |
| Pharmacist in MT | $142,080 | +36.2% | $68.31/hr |
| Physician Assistant in MT | $141,470 | +35.7% | $68.01/hr |
| Nurse Practitioner in MT | $137,210 | +31.6% | $65.97/hr |
| Medical and Health Services Manager in MT | $105,840 | +1.5% | $50.88/hr |
| Veterinarian in MT | $99,390 | -4.7% | $47.78/hr |
| Dental Hygienist in MT | $98,440 | -5.6% | $47.33/hr |
| Physical Therapist in MT | $91,450 | -12.3% | $43.97/hr |