Optometrists pay range in Columbus
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $78,380 a year or less, while the top 10% make $178,320 or more. The middle half of optometrists in Columbus earn between $105,050 and $134,410.
- $78K10th
- $105K25th
- $122KMedian
- $134K75th
- $178K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $124,990 | $10,416 | $60.09 |
| Median | $121,830 | $10,152 | $58.57 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $105,050 | $8,754 | $50.50 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $134,410 | $11,201 | $64.62 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Optometrists pay in Columbus vs. Georgia and the U.S.
Optometrists in Columbus earn about the same as the Georgia average ($128,630) and 12% less than the U.S. average ($141,550). At the median the gap is -11% against the U.S. median of $136,570.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | $124,990 | $121,830 | $78,380 | $178,320 | 30 |
| Georgia | $128,630 | $128,830 | $51,030 | $189,610 | 870 |
| United States | $141,550 | $136,570 | $74,870 | $202,180 | 42,790 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Optometrists salary after taxes in Columbus
On the average salary of $124,990, a single filer in Columbus takes home about $91,208 a year, or $7,601 a month and $3,508 every two weeks. Taxes take 27% of gross pay.
The Columbus, GA-AL metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in AL | $91,624 | $7,635 |
| Working in GA | $91,208 | $7,601 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Columbus a good place for optometrists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Columbus area are 11% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 89.3), so the average $124,990 buys what about $139,973 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Columbus ($43,540). A typical home costs $209,527, or 1.7 years of this average salary before tax.
Optometrists salary in other Georgia cities
Columbus ranks 5th of 5 Georgia metro areas for this job; Savannah pays the most ($154,300).
Highest-paying cities for optometrists
Roanoke, VA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($219,610).
- Roanoke, VA$219,610
- Wilmington, NC$204,680
- Trenton, NJ$186,160
- Fort Collins, CO$183,350
- Santa Rosa, CA$172,860
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Optometrists salary in Columbus: questions
How much do optometrists make an hour in Columbus?
$60.09 an hour on average, and $58.57 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level optometrists salary in Columbus?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $78,380 a year and the 25th percentile is $105,050, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the optometrists take-home pay in Columbus?
About $91,208 a year ($7,601 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $124,990.
Do optometrists earn more in Columbus than elsewhere?
The average here is 12% less than the U.S. average for this job ($141,550).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-1041; area Columbus, GA-AL (17980). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.9%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.00, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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