Optometrist Salary

Colorado Springs vs Greeley: Optometrist Salary (2026)

Compare optometrist salaries between Colorado Springs, CO and Greeley, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Colorado Springs, CO
$135,887
$65.33/hr
Greeley, CO
$146,549
$70.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColorado Springs, COGreeley, CO
Median Salary$135,887$146,549
Hourly Rate$65.33$70.46
Entry Level (P10)$66,595$84,999
25th Percentile$105,328$116,899
75th Percentile$163,809$182,209
Top Earner (P90)$201,163$225,107
Total Employed10026
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Colorado Springs ($135,887) and Greeley ($146,549) optometrist salaries.Colorado SpringsGreeleyMedian Salary$135,887$146,549Entry Level (P10)$66,595$84,999Top Earner (P90)$201,163$225,107US Median $140,612

Verdict

Greeley, CO offers better overall compensation for optometrists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Colorado Springs.

The salary gap between Colorado Springs and Greeley is $10,662 (7.85%). Greeley's median is +4.22% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Colorado Springs spans $134,568,Greeley spans $140,108. Greeley has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced optometrists.

Colorado Springs
P10 (Entry)$66,595
P25$105,328
Median$135,887
P75$163,809
P90 (Top)$201,163
Greeley
P10 (Entry)$84,999
P25$116,899
Median$146,549
P75$182,209
P90 (Top)$225,107

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Greeley ($139,570 effective) pays 3.44% more than Colorado Springs ($134,933 effective).

Colorado Springs
Nominal: $135,887
CoL Index: 100.707
Adjusted: $134,933
Greeley
Nominal: $146,549
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $139,570

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Colorado Springs if…

  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Greeley if…

  • Higher median salary ($146,549/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($225,107)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $139,570)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in Colorado Springs grew 26.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -2.4% growth in Greeley over the same period.

Colorado Springs, CO

+26.6%

$104,260 (2019) → $131,980 (2025)

Greeley, CO

+-2.4%

$145,910 (2024) → $142,336 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Colorado Springs or Greeley?

Greeley has a higher median optometrist salary at $146,549/year, compared to Colorado Springs at $135,887/year — a difference of $10,662 (7.85%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Colorado Springs and Greeley?

Colorado Springs optometrists earn $65.33/hr while Greeley hygienists earn $70.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Colorado Springs to Greeley as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Colorado Springs and Greeley. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Colorado Springs = $134,933, Greeley = $139,570), job availability (100 vs 26 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Colorado Springs vs Greeley?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $66,595 in Colorado Springs and $84,999 in Greeley. The Greeley 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