Optometrist Salary

Conroe vs San Antonio: Optometrist Salary (2026)

Compare optometrist salaries between Conroe, TX and San Antonio, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Conroe, TX
$136,234
$65.49/hr
San Antonio, TX
$115,089
$55.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricConroe, TXSan Antonio, TX
Median Salary$136,234$115,089
Hourly Rate$65.49$55.33
Entry Level (P10)$79,016$46,528
25th Percentile$105,423$47,918
75th Percentile$163,543$154,430
Top Earner (P90)$198,031$162,697
Total Employed15730
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Conroe ($136,234) and San Antonio ($115,089) optometrist salaries.ConroeSan AntonioMedian Salary$136,234$115,089Entry Level (P10)$79,016$46,528Top Earner (P90)$198,031$162,697US Median $140,612

Verdict

Conroe, TX offers better overall compensation for optometrists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to San Antonio.

The salary gap between Conroe and San Antonio is $21,145 (18.37%). Conroe's median is -3.11% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Conroe spans $119,015,San Antonio spans $116,169. Conroe has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Conroe
P10 (Entry)$79,016
P25$105,423
Median$136,234
P75$163,543
P90 (Top)$198,031
San Antonio
P10 (Entry)$46,528
P25$47,918
Median$115,089
P75$154,430
P90 (Top)$162,697

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Conroe ($141,910 effective) pays 16.79% more than San Antonio ($121,510 effective).

Conroe
Nominal: $136,234
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $141,910
San Antonio
Nominal: $115,089
CoL Index: 94.716
Adjusted: $121,510

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Conroe if…

  • Higher median salary ($136,234/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($198,031)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $141,910)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Larger job market (730 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in Conroe grew -1.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -5.0% growth in San Antonio over the same period.

Conroe, TX

+-1.5%

$134,371 (2024) → $132,317 (2025)

San Antonio, TX

+-5.0%

$117,610 (2019) → $111,780 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Conroe or San Antonio?

Conroe has a higher median optometrist salary at $136,234/year, compared to San Antonio at $115,089/year — a difference of $21,145 (18.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Conroe and San Antonio?

Conroe optometrists earn $65.49/hr while San Antonio hygienists earn $55.33/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Conroe to San Antonio as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Conroe and San Antonio. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Conroe = $141,910, San Antonio = $121,510), job availability (15 vs 730 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Conroe vs San Antonio?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $79,016 in Conroe and $46,528 in San Antonio. The Conroe 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