Source: SalaryDr Ophthalmology Residency Salary Data (2026). Median: $72,000/year. Sample: 12 verified submissions. URL: https://www.salarydr.com/residency-salary/ophthalmology

Ophthalmology Residency Salary (2026)

Quick Answer

The median ophthalmology resident salary is $72,000 per year, based on 12 verified submissions on SalaryDr. After training, ophthalmology attendings earn a median of $595,000 — a 8.3x increase.

Source: SalaryDr verified data • Updated May 2026

Median Salary
$72,000
Average Salary
$69,750
Salary Range
$50,000$80,000
Submissions
12
Satisfaction
😊 4/5
n=9
Would Choose Again
100%
n=9
Avg Hours/Week
61h
n=12
Unionized Programs
0%
n=3

Ophthalmology Resident Salary by PGY Year

How ophthalmology resident compensation changes by postgraduate year level.

PGY LevelMedian SalaryReports
PGY-1$72,0008
PGY-2$75,0001
PGY-3$60,0003

Ophthalmology Residency Stipends & Benefits

Median annual stipends reported by ophthalmology residents, in addition to base salary.

Housing Stipend
$20,100
n=2
Meal Stipend
$7,511
n=2
Relocation
$2,194
n=2

Ophthalmology: Resident vs. Attending Salary

The salary jump from residency to attending is the largest increase in a physician’s career.

Ophthalmology Resident
$72,000
Median (n=12)
Salary Multiplier
8.3x
increase after training
Ophthalmology Attending
$595,000
View attending salary data →

Ophthalmology Resident Salary by State

Top-paying states for ophthalmology residents based on verified submissions.

StateMedian SalaryReports
Texas$76,0002
Pennsylvania$75,0003

Ophthalmology Residency Training

Training Length

3–5 years

Salary Progression

Resident salary increases ~$2,000–$3,000 per PGY year. After completing training, attending ophthalmology physicians earn a median of $595,000.

Frequently Asked Questions: Ophthalmology Residency Salary

How much do ophthalmology residents make in 2026?

Ophthalmology residents earn a median salary of $72,000 per year based on 12 verified submissions on SalaryDr. Salaries range from $50,000 to $80,000 depending on PGY level and location.

How long is ophthalmology residency?

Ophthalmology residency training is 3–5 years. Salary increases with each year of training, typically by $2,000–$3,000 per PGY level.

How much more do ophthalmology attendings make compared to residents?

Ophthalmology attending physicians earn a median of $595,000, which is 8.3x more than the median resident salary of $72,000. This gap represents the largest salary jump in a physician's career.

Are ophthalmology residents satisfied with their specialty choice?

Ophthalmology residents rate their career satisfaction at 4/5.0 on average. 100% say they would choose ophthalmology again if given the choice. They work an average of 61 hours per week.

Explore More Ophthalmology Data

Browse Residency Salaries by Specialty

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