States where ODs make bank in 2016

Where you live can play a big role in how much cash you’re bringing home. Not only does your state affect your scope of practice, it affects your bottom line.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently released the latest data on optometrists’ average salaries across the country, and mean annual wages range from just $47,630 to $180,810.

Is your state making bank or going broke?

(Want to see how each state stacks up compared to last year? Check out our 2015 list of states where ODs make bank.)

Related: States where ODs made bank in 2015

 

Where ODs make bank

5. Maryland

Maryland bumped last year’s fifth-highest earning state, North Dakota, clear off the list. Maryland ODs are bringing in an hourly mean wage of $63.90 for an annual mean wage of $132,920.

Related: Big cities and small towns where ODs made bank in 2015

 

4. Oklahoma

Oklahoma slipped in this year’s rankings after a $10,000 drop in annual mean wage over last year. In 2015, optometrists in Oklahoma were earning an annual mean wage of $146,330, but this year, that figure dipped to $136,140.

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3. New Mexico

New Mexico also saw a dip in earnings but still managed to leap frog Oklahoma in the rankings. This year, New Mexico ODs brought in an annual mean wage of $140,940, compared to $142,900 last year-a more manageable decrease than their peers in Oklahoma.

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2. Connecticut

Connecticut is holding firm in the runner-up spot, but this state also managed to see a significant jump in earnings. Last year, the state had an annual mean wage of $169,380. Now, Connecticut ODs are raking in $180,160, bringing them within spitting distance of the number-one spot.

Related: Best and worst states to practice in 2015

 

1. Alaska

Yet again, Alaska is the top-paying state for optometrists. ODs in this state earn an hourly mean wage of $86.93, adding up to an annual mean wage of $180,810.

Our last list of states where ODs make bank must have convinced quite a few people to make the trip up north. Last year, BLS listed 50 ODs living in Alaska, but this year, that number grew to 70.  

Even with that influx of ODs, the state saw a slight bump in wages compared to last year’s annual mean wage of $178,640.

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