Daily exams · monthly revenue
Optometry Break-Even Calculator
Find daily exams and monthly revenue your optometry practice needs to break even.
Break-even analysis helps optometry owners set minimum monthly collections and daily exam targets. This calculator converts your cost structure into required revenue and visit volume.
- Break-even revenue = Fixed Costs ÷ Contribution Margin %
- Contribution margin accounts for optical COGS and variable payroll
- Typical practices break even around $85K–$115K monthly revenue
Built for practice owners evaluating startup feasibility, staffing plans, and overhead control.
Source: BizMetricsHQ 175+ optometry practices (2025–2026). Methodology
Your Numbers
Break-Even Revenue
$150,000/mo
Daily Exams Needed
36.9
Contribution Margin
32.0%
Status: below break-even
Industry Benchmarks
Monthly Break-Even
$85K – $115K
Revenue Per Exam
$150 – $250
Daily Exams Needed
18 – 28
Variable Costs
42 – 55%
Related Optometry Practice Data
- Optometry Revenue Benchmarks
Median $1.35M annual revenue — percentile distribution and revenue mix.
- Optometry Profit Margins
Healthy range 22–26% net margin with strong optical capture.
- Optometry Owner Compensation
Solo owner median $235K total compensation.
- Optometry Practice Valuation
EBITDA multiples 4.5×–6.5× at transaction.
Related Tools
- Optometry Startup Cost Calculator
Estimate total launch investment — buildout, equipment, optical inventory, and working capital.
- Practice Profit Calculator
Model net margin from collections, payroll, optical COGS, and overhead.
- Practice Valuation Calculator
Estimate practice value using EBITDA multiples and optical revenue quality.
- Revenue per Patient Calculator
Calculate annual revenue per patient from visits and optical attach.
- Insurance Mix Calculator
Model margin impact from vision plan vs medical vs private-pay mix.
- Optical Capture Rate Calculator
Measure dispensary conversion from exams to eyewear sales.
- Staffing Cost Calculator
Model staff payroll as a percentage of revenue and per-OD burden.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do optometry practices calculate break-even?
Break-even revenue equals monthly fixed costs divided by contribution margin percentage. Contribution margin is what's left after variable costs like optical COGS, commissions, and variable payroll.
How many exams per day does an optometry practice need to break even?
At $185 revenue per exam (exam + optical attach) and 50% contribution margin, a practice with $48K monthly fixed costs needs roughly 520 exams/month — about 24 per working day.