The Best State to Practice Optometry (And How to 4X Your Patient Revenue Like a Savage)

August 03, 2025
Topics: Vision
Written by: Ally Comstock

Wanna Know the Best State to Practice Optometry? (Spoiler: It’s NOT California)

Let’s be honest.

Choosing the best state to practice optometry used to be about licensing laws and population density. But if that’s all you’re thinking about, you’re doing it wrong.

Today, the smartest, most profitable optometrists are choosing where to practice AND how to monetize smarter — not harder.

Because here’s the kicker…

️ Even if you open in a dream city, if your business model sucks, you’ll be stressed, broke, and drowning in insurance BS.

What if I told you that the real secret weapon isn’t just geography — it’s recurring revenue?

BoomCloud™ and subscription-based care models are flipping the old-school “fee-for-service” model on its head — and it’s making ODs rich and patients loyal as hell.

Let’s dive into how location + memberships = unstoppable growth.


Texas or Florida? Nah, Try This Instead…

You’re an optometrist. You went to school forever, finally got that license, and now you’re staring at a map like a lost pirate:

“Where should I plant my flag? Which state will actually help me thrive?”

Let’s talk numbers :

  • Oregon offers full scope of practice (laser procedures, baby!)

  • Alaska pays optometrists an average of $168,790/year (BLS, 2024)

  • Utah, Idaho, and North Carolina rank high for low OD saturation, fast growth, and high patient demand

But here’s the reality check :

If you rely solely on volume and insurance reimbursement, it doesn’t matter if you’re in Beverly Hills or Boise.

Your income still caps. Your stress still maxes.

But there’s another way…


“I Can’t Control Location… But I Can Control My Model!”

Let me tell you about Dr. Marcus Shaw.

He opened in a so-so city in Colorado. Not bad, not amazing. But he made one genius move that changed everything:

He partnered with BoomCloud™ to launch his vision membership program.

Now, instead of relying on insurance checks (that feel more like IOUs), he gets paid like clockwork every month.

His game plan?

  • $30/month membership

  • 2 exams/year

  • 20% off lenses & specialty services

  • Dry eye treatments included

Result?
He stacked MRR (Monthly Recurring Revenue) like a Netflix CEO.

Dr. Shaw’s BoomCloud™ Metrics:

  • 532 active members

  • $36,000 MRR

  • $432,000 ARR (Annual Recurring Revenue)

  • Patients on the plan spent 3.6X more than non-members

He said:

“I don’t chase patients anymore. They chase us.”

Boom. THAT is the power of recurring revenue + patient loyalty.


What Really Makes a State the Best for Optometry?

It’s not just salary, population, or licensure. It’s this:

A state that lets you maximize revenue per patient while minimizing insurance dependence.

Top States by Criteria:

State Why It Rocks
Utah Pro-business laws, low OD saturation, cash-friendly patients
Texas High demand, growing metros, decent insurance mix
North Carolina Great demographics, retirement + tech migration
Oregon Full-scope care + forward-thinking legislature
Florida High volume, lots of retirees, perfect for memberships

Ready to Build a Membership Empire?

If you’re serious about thriving — not surviving — then stop thinking in “per-visit” terms. Start thinking in MRR, ARR, and LTV (lifetime value).

Start a BoomCloud™ Membership Plan Today:

Here’s how to crush it:

Go to BoomCloudApps.com
Create your tiered membership (starter, premium, VIP vision club, whatever)
Include:

  • 1-2 exams/year

  • Lens discounts

  • Dry eye treatment packages

  • Emergency visit access

  • Cosmetic perks like blue light lenses or Ortho-K


Membership Math = Predictable Profits

Membership Patients vs. Traditional Patients:

Metric Traditional Membership
Avg. Spend/Year $250–$300 $750–$1,200+
Frequency Every 18–24 months Every 3–6 months
Retention ~40% 85%+
Lifetime Value ~$800 $3,500+

Do the math. Even if you only get 300 members at $30/month, that’s $9,000 in monthly revenue — on autopilot.


BoomCloud™ Memberships: What’s Included?

Here’s a peek into what forward-thinking practices are offering their patients :

Membership Perks (Steal These Ideas!):

  • ✅ 2 comprehensive exams/year

  • 15–25% off lenses + frames

  • Quarterly dry eye therapy sessions

  • Discounts on eye drops and supplements

  • Emergency exam access

  • Text-based patient concierge

  • Blue light, anti-fatigue lens upgrades


Why Insurance is the Real Enemy (Hot Take Alert )

Let’s call it what it is:

Insurance is a bloated, slow, outdated, profit-vaporizing middleman.

You do the work, they delay the pay. You play by the rules, they change the rules.

With memberships?

  • You set the terms.

  • You get paid up front.

  • You build real value-based relationships with patients.


Case Study #2: From Burned Out to Booked Out

Dr. Hannah Lee in North Carolina opened her practice in late 2022. First year? Brutal. She fought with VSP. Patients ghosted after one visit.

Then she went rogue.

She launched a BoomCloud™ Gold Vision Club:

  • $40/month

  • 1 wellness exam

  • 1 medical check-in

  • 25% off frames

  • Priority scheduling

Within 6 months:

  • 386 members

  • 4.2X increase in per-patient spend

  • +43% treatment plan acceptance

  • $18K MRR

Now? She’s opening her second location.


Final Recap:

✅ Best state to practice optometry? The one where YOU control your revenue
✅ Launch a membership plan with BoomCloud™
✅ Watch your MRR + ARR explode
✅ Retain patients like crazy
✅ Stop chasing new leads — optimize revenue per patient


Want to Be the “Netflix of Optometry”?

Then stop thinking like a healthcare worker. Start thinking like a subscription boss.

Membership is the ultimate optometric cheat code:

  • Predictable income

  • Loyal patients

  • Higher spend

  • No insurance drama

With the right model — you can win in any state.

Even… New Jersey (okay, maybe not everywhere ).


Next Steps:

  • Sign up at BoomCloudApps.com

  • Build your plan

  • Promote to existing patients

  • Track your MRR, ARR, and smile like a boss


If you’re gonna practice optometry, practice profitably.

Your state? That’s just geography.
Your model? That’s your empire.

My Top Podcasts

How Smart Practice Owners Attract, Retain & Create Recurring Revenue

Get the book that’s helping over 65,000  practices ditch insurance, boost cash flow, and create financial freedom with a patient membership program.

Membership Plans For Optometrists

vision-membership-plan-ebook Creating a patient membership plan is the smartest strategy to implement in your practice. You will increase patient satisfaction & loyalty, Increase predictable recurring revenue & increase sales!

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Jordon Comstock

Author Bio

Jordon Comstock is the Founder & CEO of BoomCloud™, a software that allows practice, clinic & spa owners to build, manage and scale a membership program. This helps practice & clinic owners to create recurring revenue & improve loyalty via membership programs. Jordon is passionate about Music, Hawaii, Healthcare businesses like: dentistry, optometry, med spas and massage spas. Schedule a demo of BoomCloud™ and learn how membership programs can improve your business. Here are more dental books to improve your practice

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