Optometrist Salary

Lafayette vs Noblesville: Optometrist Salary (2026)

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

Lafayette, IN
$138,821
$66.74/hr
Noblesville, IN
$140,363
$67.48/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLafayette, INNoblesville, IN
Median Salary$138,821$140,363
Hourly Rate$66.74$67.48
Entry Level (P10)$75,490$81,410
25th Percentile$108,396$111,151
75th Percentile$160,865$167,854
Top Earner (P90)$199,073$203,136
Total Employed5011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lafayette ($138,821) and Noblesville ($140,363) optometrist salaries.LafayetteNoblesvilleMedian Salary$138,821$140,363Entry Level (P10)$75,490$81,410Top Earner (P90)$199,073$203,136US Median $140,612

Verdict

Noblesville, IN offers better overall compensation for optometrists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Lafayette.

The salary gap between Lafayette and Noblesville is $1,542 (1.11%). Noblesville's median is -0.18% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lafayette spans $123,583,Noblesville spans $121,726. Lafayette has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Lafayette
P10 (Entry)$75,490
P25$108,396
Median$138,821
P75$160,865
P90 (Top)$199,073
Noblesville
P10 (Entry)$81,410
P25$111,151
Median$140,363
P75$167,854
P90 (Top)$203,136

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Noblesville ($153,738 effective) pays 3.47% more than Lafayette ($148,583 effective).

Lafayette
Nominal: $138,821
CoL Index: 93.43
Adjusted: $148,583
Noblesville
Nominal: $140,363
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $153,738

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lafayette if…

  • Larger job market (50 employed)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Noblesville if…

  • Higher median salary ($140,363/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($203,136)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $153,738)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in Lafayette grew 36.9% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 13.6% growth in Noblesville over the same period.

Lafayette, IN

+36.9%

$98,490 (2020) → $134,830 (2025)

Noblesville, IN

+13.6%

$120,008 (2024) → $136,328 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Lafayette or Noblesville?

Noblesville has a higher median optometrist salary at $140,363/year, compared to Lafayette at $138,821/year — a difference of $1,542 (1.11%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lafayette and Noblesville?

Lafayette optometrists earn $66.74/hr while Noblesville hygienists earn $67.48/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lafayette to Noblesville as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lafayette and Noblesville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lafayette = $148,583, Noblesville = $153,738), job availability (50 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Lafayette vs Noblesville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $75,490 in Lafayette and $81,410 in Noblesville. The Noblesville 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