Buildout · equipment · optical inventory
Optometry Startup Cost Calculator
Estimate total investment to open a de novo optometry practice or acquire an existing clinic.
Opening an optometry practice requires capital across office buildout, diagnostic equipment, optical inventory, and operating reserves. This calculator totals your investment against typical opening ranges.
- De novo startup: $350K – $750K all-in
- Optical inventory and buildout are the largest line items
- Working capital: 4–6 months overhead reserve recommended
Built for optometrists planning a startup, investors evaluating acquisitions, and lenders structuring SBA loans.
Source: BizMetricsHQ 175+ optometry practices (2025–2026). Methodology
Investment Line Items
Total Investment
$526,000
De novo startup · Typical
Startup Presets
Lean Startup
$350,000
Single OD, modest buildout, used equipment
Typical Startup
$525,000
2 exam rooms, standard optical dispensary
Premium Build
$750,000
Multi-room, OCT, premium optical showroom
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
- 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.
- Staffing Cost Calculator
Model staff payroll as a percentage of revenue and per-OD burden.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open an optometry practice?
Most optometry practices launch between $350K and $750K, with a median near $525K. Office buildout, diagnostic equipment, optical inventory, and working capital are the largest line items.
What is the biggest startup cost for an optometry clinic?
Office buildout ($80K–$200K) and optical inventory ($50K–$150K) typically represent 35–50% of total startup investment. Diagnostic equipment and OCT add another 18–28%.
How much working capital does a new optometry practice need?
Plan for $40K–$100K in working capital to cover payroll, rent, and inventory replenishment during the 12–18 month ramp to profitability.