Optometrist Salary

Kansas City vs Raymore: Optometrist Salary (2026)

Compare optometrist salaries between Kansas City, MO and Raymore, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kansas City, MO
$142,682
$68.60/hr
Raymore, MO
$116,634
$56.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKansas City, MORaymore, MO
Median Salary$142,682$116,634
Hourly Rate$68.60$56.07
Entry Level (P10)$96,412$69,920
25th Percentile$123,552$94,582
75th Percentile$152,844$136,976
Top Earner (P90)$181,240$161,912
Total Employed4506
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kansas City ($142,682) and Raymore ($116,634) optometrist salaries.Kansas CityRaymoreMedian Salary$142,682$116,634Entry Level (P10)$96,412$69,920Top Earner (P90)$181,240$161,912US Median $140,612

Verdict

Kansas City, MO offers better overall compensation for optometrists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Raymore.

The salary gap between Kansas City and Raymore is $26,048 (22.33%). Kansas City's median is +1.47% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kansas City spans $84,828,Raymore spans $91,992. Raymore has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced optometrists.

Kansas City
P10 (Entry)$96,412
P25$123,552
Median$142,682
P75$152,844
P90 (Top)$181,240
Raymore
P10 (Entry)$69,920
P25$94,582
Median$116,634
P75$136,976
P90 (Top)$161,912

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kansas City ($154,179 effective) pays 18.44% more than Raymore ($130,172 effective).

Kansas City
Nominal: $142,682
CoL Index: 92.543
Adjusted: $154,179
Raymore
Nominal: $116,634
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $130,172

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kansas City if…

  • Higher median salary ($142,682/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($181,240)
  • Larger job market (450 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $154,179)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Raymore if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in Kansas City grew 22.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 6.7% growth in Raymore over the same period.

Kansas City, MO

+22.3%

$113,270 (2019) → $138,580 (2025)

Raymore, MO

+6.7%

$106,172 (2024) → $113,281 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Kansas City or Raymore?

Kansas City has a higher median optometrist salary at $142,682/year, compared to Raymore at $116,634/year — a difference of $26,048 (22.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kansas City and Raymore?

Kansas City optometrists earn $68.60/hr while Raymore hygienists earn $56.07/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kansas City to Raymore as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kansas City and Raymore. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kansas City = $154,179, Raymore = $130,172), job availability (450 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Kansas City vs Raymore?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $96,412 in Kansas City and $69,920 in Raymore. The Kansas City 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