Optometrist Salary

Barnstable Town vs Boston: Optometrist Salary (2026)

Compare optometrist salaries between Barnstable Town, MA and Boston, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Barnstable Town, MA
$158,857
$76.38/hr
Boston, MA
$159,557
$76.72/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBarnstable Town, MABoston, MA
Median Salary$158,857$159,557
Hourly Rate$76.38$76.72
Entry Level (P10)$88,978$98,615
25th Percentile$135,732$130,286
75th Percentile$197,086$171,861
Top Earner (P90)$202,255$204,952
Total Employed30710
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Barnstable Town ($158,857) and Boston ($159,557) optometrist salaries.Barnstable TownBostonMedian Salary$158,857$159,557Entry Level (P10)$88,978$98,615Top Earner (P90)$202,255$204,952US Median $140,612

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for optometrists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Barnstable Town.

The salary gap between Barnstable Town and Boston is $700 (0.44%). Boston's median is +13.47% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Barnstable Town spans $113,277,Boston spans $106,337. Barnstable Town has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Barnstable Town
P10 (Entry)$88,978
P25$135,732
Median$158,857
P75$197,086
P90 (Top)$202,255
Boston
P10 (Entry)$98,615
P25$130,286
Median$159,557
P75$171,861
P90 (Top)$204,952

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Barnstable Town ($161,520 effective) pays 9.60% more than Boston ($147,375 effective).

Barnstable Town
Nominal: $158,857
CoL Index: 98.351
Adjusted: $161,520
Boston
Nominal: $159,557
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $147,375

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Barnstable Town if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $161,520)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($159,557/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($204,952)
  • Larger job market (710 employed)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in Barnstable Town grew -1.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 24.8% growth in Boston over the same period.

Barnstable Town, MA

+-1.6%

$156,810 (2024) → $154,290 (2025)

Boston, MA

+24.8%

$124,200 (2019) → $154,970 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Barnstable Town or Boston?

Boston has a higher median optometrist salary at $159,557/year, compared to Barnstable Town at $158,857/year — a difference of $700 (0.44%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Barnstable Town and Boston?

Barnstable Town optometrists earn $76.38/hr while Boston hygienists earn $76.72/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Barnstable Town to Boston as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Barnstable Town and Boston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Barnstable Town = $161,520, Boston = $147,375), job availability (30 vs 710 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Barnstable Town vs Boston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $88,978 in Barnstable Town and $98,615 in Boston. The Boston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

Written by Aisha Patel, OD

Career Analyst

Aisha Patel has 10 years of experience in optometry. She specializes in pediatric vision care. Aisha works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Rajiv Kumar, ODData verified by Sofia Martinez, OD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.96% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov