Optometrist Salary

Houston vs Prosper: Optometrist Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$128,329
$61.69/hr
Prosper, TX
$128,625
$61.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXProsper, TX
Median Salary$128,329$128,625
Hourly Rate$61.69$61.84
Entry Level (P10)$98,862$75,775
25th Percentile$106,790$105,914
75th Percentile$151,300$156,587
Top Earner (P90)$166,805$184,855
Total Employed1,2507
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($128,329) and Prosper ($128,625) optometrist salaries.HoustonProsperMedian Salary$128,329$128,625Entry Level (P10)$98,862$75,775Top Earner (P90)$166,805$184,855US Median $140,612

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and Prosper is $296 (0.23%). Prosper's median is -8.52% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $67,943,Prosper spans $109,080. Prosper has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced optometrists.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$98,862
P25$106,790
Median$128,329
P75$151,300
P90 (Top)$166,805
Prosper
P10 (Entry)$75,775
P25$105,914
Median$128,625
P75$156,587
P90 (Top)$184,855

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Prosper ($133,984 effective) pays 2.98% more than Houston ($130,113 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $128,329
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $130,113
Prosper
Nominal: $128,625
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $133,984

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Larger job market (1,250 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Prosper if…

  • Higher median salary ($128,625/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($184,855)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $133,984)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in Houston grew 11.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -1.5% growth in Prosper over the same period.

Houston, TX

+11.1%

$112,230 (2019) → $124,640 (2025)

Prosper, TX

+-1.5%

$126,866 (2024) → $124,927 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Houston or Prosper?

Prosper has a higher median optometrist salary at $128,625/year, compared to Houston at $128,329/year — a difference of $296 (0.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Prosper?

Houston optometrists earn $61.69/hr while Prosper hygienists earn $61.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Prosper as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Prosper. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $130,113, Prosper = $133,984), job availability (1,250 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Houston vs Prosper?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $98,862 in Houston and $75,775 in Prosper. The Houston 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