Payroll burden · revenue per OD
Optometry Staffing Cost Calculator
Model staff payroll as a percentage of revenue and per-OD burden.
Staffing is the largest controllable expense for most optometry practices. This calculator models payroll burden across ODs, opticians, and admin staff.
- Staffing % = Total Payroll ÷ Revenue × 100
- Typical range: 28–38% of revenue
- Revenue per employee benchmark: $120K–$180K
Built for practice owners optimizing staffing models and associate OD productivity.
Source: BizMetricsHQ 175+ optometry practices (2025–2026). Methodology
Payroll Inputs
Total Payroll
$610,000
Staffing burden: 45.2% · high
Revenue Per OD
$675,000
Revenue Per Employee
$225,000
Non-OD Payroll
$195,000
Non-OD % of Revenue
14.4%
Industry Benchmarks
Staffing % of Revenue
28 – 38%
Revenue Per Employee
$120K – $180K
Revenue Per OD
$550K – $750K
Optician Payroll
6 – 10%
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.
- Break-even Calculator
Find daily exams and optical sales needed to cover fixed costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of revenue should optometry staffing be?
Total staffing typically runs 28–38% of revenue including owner OD compensation, associate ODs, opticians, and admin. Practices above 38% often have low optical capture or overstaffed front desk.
What is revenue per OD for optometry?
Revenue per OD ranges $550K–$750K for well-run practices. Solo owners at $1.35M with one OD generate $1.35M per OD; two-OD practices target $650K+ per doctor with strong optical productivity.