Source: SalaryDr Ophthalmology Residency Salary Data (2026). Median: $73,000/year. Sample: 25 approved salary reports. URL: https://www.salarydr.com/residency-salary/ophthalmology
Ophthalmology Residency Salary (2026)
The median ophthalmology resident salary is $73,000 per year, based on 25 approved salary reports on SalaryDr. After training, ophthalmology attendings earn a median of $415,000 — a 5.7x increase.
Source: SalaryDr self-reported data • Updated Nov 2026
Ophthalmology Resident Salary by PGY Year
How ophthalmology resident compensation changes by postgraduate year level.
| PGY Level | Median Salary | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| PGY-1 | $72,725 | 14 |
| PGY-3 | $60,000 | 5 |
Ophthalmology: Resident vs. Attending Salary
The salary jump from residency to attending is the largest increase in a physician’s career.
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 25 approved salary reports on SalaryDr. The middle 80% report between $61,200 and $83,358, 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 3.8/5.0 on average. 100% say they would choose ophthalmology again if given the choice. They work an average of 58 hours per week.
Explore More Ophthalmology Data
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