Optometrist Salary

Fishers vs Indianapolis: Optometrist Salary (2026)

Compare optometrist salaries between Fishers, IN and Indianapolis, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fishers, IN
$138,494
$66.58/hr
Indianapolis, IN
$141,663
$68.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFishers, INIndianapolis, IN
Median Salary$138,494$141,663
Hourly Rate$66.58$68.11
Entry Level (P10)$80,326$73,205
25th Percentile$107,411$103,907
75th Percentile$163,463$170,028
Top Earner (P90)$210,512$221,663
Total Employed21340
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fishers ($138,494) and Indianapolis ($141,663) optometrist salaries.FishersIndianapolisMedian Salary$138,494$141,663Entry Level (P10)$80,326$73,205Top Earner (P90)$210,512$221,663US Median $140,612

Verdict

Indianapolis, IN offers better overall compensation for optometrists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Fishers.

The salary gap between Fishers and Indianapolis is $3,169 (2.29%). Indianapolis's median is +0.75% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fishers spans $130,186,Indianapolis spans $148,458. Indianapolis has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced optometrists.

Fishers
P10 (Entry)$80,326
P25$107,411
Median$138,494
P75$163,463
P90 (Top)$210,512
Indianapolis
P10 (Entry)$73,205
P25$103,907
Median$141,663
P75$170,028
P90 (Top)$221,663

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fishers ($151,691 effective) pays 2.47% more than Indianapolis ($148,034 effective).

Fishers
Nominal: $138,494
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $151,691
Indianapolis
Nominal: $141,663
CoL Index: 95.696
Adjusted: $148,034

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fishers if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $151,691)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Indianapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($141,663/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($221,663)
  • Larger job market (340 employed)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in Fishers grew 13.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 67.6% growth in Indianapolis over the same period.

Fishers, IN

+13.6%

$118,410 (2024) → $134,512 (2025)

Indianapolis, IN

+67.6%

$82,100 (2019) → $137,590 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Fishers or Indianapolis?

Indianapolis has a higher median optometrist salary at $141,663/year, compared to Fishers at $138,494/year — a difference of $3,169 (2.29%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fishers and Indianapolis?

Fishers optometrists earn $66.58/hr while Indianapolis hygienists earn $68.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fishers to Indianapolis as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fishers and Indianapolis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fishers = $151,691, Indianapolis = $148,034), job availability (21 vs 340 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Fishers vs Indianapolis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $80,326 in Fishers and $73,205 in Indianapolis. The Fishers 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