Source: SalaryDr Ophthalmology Residency Salary Data (2026). Median: $73,000/year. Sample: 22 verified submissions. URL: https://www.salarydr.com/residency-salary/ophthalmology

Ophthalmology Residency Salary (2026)

Quick Answer

The median ophthalmology resident salary is $73,000 per year, based on 22 verified submissions on SalaryDr. After training, ophthalmology attendings earn a median of $415,000 — a 5.7x increase.

Source: SalaryDr verified data • Updated Sep 2026

Median Salary
$73,000
Average Salary
$74,084
Salary Range
$50,000$150,000
Submissions
22
Satisfaction
😊 3.7/5
n=18
Would Choose Again
100%
n=17
Avg Hours/Week
59h
n=22
Unionized Programs
15%
n=13

Ophthalmology Resident Salary by PGY Year

How ophthalmology resident compensation changes by postgraduate year level.

PGY LevelMedian SalaryReports
PGY-1$72,00013
PGY-2$75,0002
PGY-3$60,0005
PGY-4$80,8951
PGY-8$70,0001

Ophthalmology Residency Stipends & Benefits

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

Housing Stipend
$20,100
n=2
Meal Stipend
$2,000
n=3
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
$73,000
Median (n=22)
Salary Multiplier
5.7x
increase after training
Ophthalmology Attending
$415,000
View attending salary data →

Ophthalmology Resident Salary by State

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

StateMedian SalaryReports
Pennsylvania$75,0003
New York$75,0002
Colorado$74,0002
Texas$71,6573

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 $415,000.

Frequently Asked Questions: Ophthalmology Residency Salary

How much do ophthalmology residents make in 2026?

Ophthalmology residents earn a median salary of $73,000 per year based on 22 verified submissions on SalaryDr. Salaries range from $50,000 to $150,000 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 $415,000, which is 5.7x more than the median resident salary of $73,000. 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 3.7/5.0 on average. 100% say they would choose ophthalmology again if given the choice. They work an average of 59 hours per week.

Explore More Ophthalmology Data

Browse Residency Salaries by Specialty

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