Optometrist Salary

Maple Valley vs Spokane: Optometrist Salary (2026)

Compare optometrist salaries between Maple Valley, WA and Spokane, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Maple Valley, WA
$143,668
$69.08/hr
Spokane, WA
$129,915
$62.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMaple Valley, WASpokane, WA
Median Salary$143,668$129,915
Hourly Rate$69.08$62.46
Entry Level (P10)$83,328$90,790
25th Percentile$113,975$107,552
75th Percentile$170,812$160,041
Top Earner (P90)$204,312$166,981
Total Employed660
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Maple Valley ($143,668) and Spokane ($129,915) optometrist salaries.Maple ValleySpokaneMedian Salary$143,668$129,915Entry Level (P10)$83,328$90,790Top Earner (P90)$204,312$166,981US Median $140,612

Verdict

Maple Valley, WA offers better overall compensation for optometrists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Spokane.

The salary gap between Maple Valley and Spokane is $13,753 (10.59%). Maple Valley's median is +2.17% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Maple Valley spans $120,984,Spokane spans $76,191. Maple Valley has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Maple Valley
P10 (Entry)$83,328
P25$113,975
Median$143,668
P75$170,812
P90 (Top)$204,312
Spokane
P10 (Entry)$90,790
P25$107,552
Median$129,915
P75$160,041
P90 (Top)$166,981

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Maple Valley ($133,769 effective) pays 3.32% more than Spokane ($129,467 effective).

Maple Valley
Nominal: $143,668
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $133,769
Spokane
Nominal: $129,915
CoL Index: 100.346
Adjusted: $129,467

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Maple Valley if…

  • Higher median salary ($143,668/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($204,312)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $133,769)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Spokane if…

  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in Maple Valley grew -7.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 8.2% growth in Spokane over the same period.

Maple Valley, WA

+-7.7%

$151,217 (2024) → $139,538 (2025)

Spokane, WA

+8.2%

$116,580 (2019) → $126,180 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Maple Valley or Spokane?

Maple Valley has a higher median optometrist salary at $143,668/year, compared to Spokane at $129,915/year — a difference of $13,753 (10.59%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Maple Valley and Spokane?

Maple Valley optometrists earn $69.08/hr while Spokane hygienists earn $62.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Maple Valley to Spokane as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Maple Valley and Spokane. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Maple Valley = $133,769, Spokane = $129,467), job availability (6 vs 60 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Maple Valley vs Spokane?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $83,328 in Maple Valley and $90,790 in Spokane. The Spokane 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