Healthcare Louisville, KY Pop. 633,045

Optometrist Salary in Louisville, Kentucky

The median optometrist salary in Louisville, KY is $115,543 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 5.7% above the Kentucky state average.

City Median
$115,543
vs State Avg
+$6,280
vs National
$-10,047
Cost of Living
92%

Optometrist Pay in Louisville: What to Expect (2026)

Louisville offers a median optometrist salary of $115,543, which is $6,280 above the Kentucky state average of $109,263. Compared to the national median of $125,590, Louisville pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Louisville's cost of living is 92% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for optometrists in Louisville spans from $71,760 at the 10th percentile to $176,640 at the 90th percentile — a $104,880 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $75,440, while senior optometrists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $163,760. As a major metro area with a population of 633,045, Louisville typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Optometrist Salary in Louisville by Experience

In Louisville, an entry-level optometrist earns around $75,440, while experienced professionals earn up to $163,760 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$75,440
$-6,560 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$117,760
$-10,240 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$163,760
$-14,240 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Louisville, KY

Percentile Louisville
10th Percentile $71,760
25th Percentile $92,000
Median (50th) $115,543
75th Percentile $145,360
90th Percentile $176,640

Optometrist Salary in Other Kentucky Cities

Lexington, KY
$116,799
Pop. 322,570
Covington, KY
$110,519
Pop. 40,961
Bowling Green, KY
$105,496
Pop. 74,735
Owensboro, KY
$102,984
Pop. 60,183

How to Become a Optometrist in Louisville

Education

Most optometrist positions require a doctoral degree. Louisville and the surrounding Kentucky area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Eye ExaminationRefractionContact Lens FittingOcular DiseasePatient EducationDiagnostic Equipment

Job Outlook

Nationally, optometrist employment is projected to grow 9% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Louisville may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Optometrist Jobs in Louisville

Browse open optometrist positions in Louisville, KY:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Optometrist Salary in Louisville

How much does a Optometrist make in Louisville, KY? ▼
The median optometrist salary in Louisville, Kentucky is $115,543 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $125,590. Salaries range from $71,760 (10th percentile) to $176,640 (90th percentile).
How much does a Optometrist make per hour in Louisville? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $115,543, a optometrist in Louisville earns approximately $56 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Louisville compare to the Kentucky state average for optometrist pay? ▼
Louisville's median optometrist salary of $115,543 is 5.7% above the Kentucky state average of $109,263. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Louisville, KY? ▼
Louisville has a cost of living index of 92% compared to the national average. This means a optometrist salary of $115,543 in Louisville has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a optometrist in Louisville? ▼
Most optometrist positions in Louisville require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Eye Examination, Refraction, Contact Lens Fitting, Ocular Disease. The job market is projected to grow 9% nationally over the next decade.