Salary Levels by Experience
| Experience Level | Salary Range | Est. Annual Net |
|---|---|---|
| Associate OD (1–3 yrs) | $106,000–$126,000 | ~$89,992 |
| Staff OD | $123,000–$149,000 | ~$103,709 |
| Senior OD | $146,000–$172,000 | ~$119,429 |
| Practice Owner / Director | $167,000–$242,000 | ~$152,249 |
Tax Breakdown at $139,000 (Bi-Weekly)
| Component | Per Paycheck | Annual | % of Gross |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Pay | $5,346.15 | $139,000 | 100% |
| Federal Income Tax | −$869.50 | −$22,607 | 16.3% |
| No Washington State Tax 🎉 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 0.0% |
| FICA (SS + Medicare) | −$409.00 | −$10,634 | 7.7% |
| Net Take-Home | $4,068 | ~$105,759 | 76.1% |
What Drives Optometrist Pay in Seattle
Optometrists in New York City provide primary eye care, prescribe corrective lenses, and manage ocular disease at a dense network of independent practices, retail optical chains, and hospital-affiliated clinics. NYC's massive and aging population ensures consistent patient demand, while the city's high concentration of fashion-conscious consumers also drives premium eyewear sales that can boost practice revenue.
Private practice ownership is the primary route to above-average earnings for NYC optometrists, with well-run Manhattan or Brooklyn practices generating owner incomes of $175,000–$240,000 or more. Corporate optometry at chains such as MyEyeDr and Warby Parker offers guaranteed salaries with lower entrepreneurial risk. Medical optometry — managing glaucoma, dry eye, and post-surgical co-management — commands pay premiums over routine refractive care in the NYC market.
- Practice ownership vs. employed associate position
- Medical optometry vs. routine refractive focus
- Optical dispensary and premium lens revenue
- Neighborhood and patient demographics
Top Seattle Employers
Major employers hiring optometrists in Seattle include: UW Medicine, Swedish Health, Providence Health Seattle.
Tax note: At $139,000 in Seattle, optometrists benefit from no Washington state income tax — only federal taxes and FICA apply. This saves roughly $7,000–$13,000 per year compared to working in a high-tax state.
Frequently Asked Questions
An optometrist earning $139,000 in Seattle takes home approximately $105,759 per year, or $4,068 per bi-weekly paycheck, after all taxes. The effective tax rate is 23.9%.
Seattle optometrist salaries range from $106,000–$126,000 at entry level to $167,000–$242,000 for senior professionals. The median mid-career salary is approximately $139,000.
No — New York State law restricts laser surgery, injections, and most other surgical procedures to ophthalmologists (physicians); however, New York optometrists can diagnose and manage many ocular diseases, prescribe topical and oral medications, and perform co-management of post-surgical patients.
Calculate Your Seattle Take-Home
Enter your exact salary to see your precise after-tax paycheck.
Open Seattle Calculator →