Optometrist Salary

Beaumont vs Dallas: Optometrist Salary (2026)

Compare optometrist salaries between Beaumont, TX and Dallas, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Beaumont, TX
$134,939
$64.88/hr
Dallas, TX
$144,957
$69.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBeaumont, TXDallas, TX
Median Salary$134,939$144,957
Hourly Rate$64.88$69.69
Entry Level (P10)$69,066$75,490
25th Percentile$108,973$111,887
75th Percentile$157,313$165,313
Top Earner (P90)$202,924$171,274
Total Employed40870
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Beaumont ($134,939) and Dallas ($144,957) optometrist salaries.BeaumontDallasMedian Salary$134,939$144,957Entry Level (P10)$69,066$75,490Top Earner (P90)$202,924$171,274US Median $140,612

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for optometrists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Beaumont.

The salary gap between Beaumont and Dallas is $10,018 (7.42%). Dallas's median is +3.09% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Beaumont spans $133,858,Dallas spans $95,784. Beaumont has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Beaumont
P10 (Entry)$69,066
P25$108,973
Median$134,939
P75$157,313
P90 (Top)$202,924
Dallas
P10 (Entry)$75,490
P25$111,887
Median$144,957
P75$165,313
P90 (Top)$171,274

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Beaumont ($149,856 effective) pays 6.57% more than Dallas ($140,612 effective).

Beaumont
Nominal: $134,939
CoL Index: 90.046
Adjusted: $149,856
Dallas
Nominal: $144,957
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $140,612

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Beaumont if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($202,924)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $149,856)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($144,957/year)
  • Larger job market (870 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in Beaumont grew 23.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 26.9% growth in Dallas over the same period.

Beaumont, TX

+23.5%

$106,130 (2019) → $131,060 (2025)

Dallas, TX

+26.9%

$110,910 (2019) → $140,790 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Beaumont or Dallas?

Dallas has a higher median optometrist salary at $144,957/year, compared to Beaumont at $134,939/year — a difference of $10,018 (7.42%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Beaumont and Dallas?

Beaumont optometrists earn $64.88/hr while Dallas hygienists earn $69.69/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Beaumont to Dallas as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Beaumont and Dallas. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Beaumont = $149,856, Dallas = $140,612), job availability (40 vs 870 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Beaumont vs Dallas?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $69,066 in Beaumont and $75,490 in Dallas. The Dallas 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