How much does an optometrist make in Des Moines?
$129,800a year
Median yearly pay for optometrists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $62.39 an hour or $10,820 a month.
- Hourly
- $62.39
- Vs. national median
- -5%
- Rank among cities
- 140 of 183
- Jobs in the area
- 110
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $67,930Median: $129,800Highest 10%: $178,300
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $67,930 | $32.66 | |
| 25th | $100,900 | $48.51 | |
| Median | $129,800 | $62.39 | |
| 75th | $166,000 | $79.80 | |
| 90th | $178,300 | $85.73 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for optometrists.
| Omaha, NE | $127,100 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $102,900 |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $426,300 |
| Psychiatrist | $358,000 |
| Physician | $309,900 |
| Pediatrician | $271,200 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,200 |
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200 |
| Physician | $239,200 |
| Radiologist | $239,200 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $237,700 |
| Dentist | $209,300 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an optometrist make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $62.39 ($129,800 a year).
Do optometrists make more in Des Moines than the national average?
No: $129,800 against $136,600 nationally, 5% less.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $125,400, so Des Moines pays 4% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for optometrist pay?
140 of 183 metro areas with data.
How much does an optometrist make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $67,930 or less a year; the top 10% make $178,300 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.