Optometrist Salary

Midvale vs Salt Lake City: Optometrist Salary (2026)

Compare optometrist salaries between Midvale, UT and Salt Lake City, UT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Midvale, UT
$135,638
$65.21/hr
Salt Lake City, UT
$141,313
$67.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMidvale, UTSalt Lake City, UT
Median Salary$135,638$141,313
Hourly Rate$65.21$67.94
Entry Level (P10)$78,671$51,521
25th Percentile$107,802$83,037
75th Percentile$161,355$166,610
Top Earner (P90)$193,545$177,297
Total Employed9150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Midvale ($135,638) and Salt Lake City ($141,313) optometrist salaries.MidvaleSalt Lake CityMedian Salary$135,638$141,313Entry Level (P10)$78,671$51,521Top Earner (P90)$193,545$177,297US Median $140,612

Verdict

Salt Lake City, UT offers better overall compensation for optometrists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Midvale.

The salary gap between Midvale and Salt Lake City is $5,675 (4.18%). Salt Lake City's median is +0.50% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Midvale spans $114,874,Salt Lake City spans $125,776. Salt Lake City has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced optometrists.

Midvale
P10 (Entry)$78,671
P25$107,802
Median$135,638
P75$161,355
P90 (Top)$193,545
Salt Lake City
P10 (Entry)$51,521
P25$83,037
Median$141,313
P75$166,610
P90 (Top)$177,297

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Salt Lake City ($140,097 effective) pays 1.32% more than Midvale ($138,265 effective).

Midvale
Nominal: $135,638
CoL Index: 98.1
Adjusted: $138,265
Salt Lake City
Nominal: $141,313
CoL Index: 100.868
Adjusted: $140,097

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Midvale if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($193,545)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Choose Salt Lake City if…

  • Higher median salary ($141,313/year)
  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $140,097)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in Midvale grew 6.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 80.0% growth in Salt Lake City over the same period.

Midvale, UT

+6.7%

$123,472 (2024) → $131,739 (2025)

Salt Lake City, UT

+80.0%

$76,250 (2019) → $137,250 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Midvale or Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City has a higher median optometrist salary at $141,313/year, compared to Midvale at $135,638/year — a difference of $5,675 (4.18%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Midvale and Salt Lake City?

Midvale optometrists earn $65.21/hr while Salt Lake City hygienists earn $67.94/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Midvale to Salt Lake City as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Midvale and Salt Lake City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Midvale = $138,265, Salt Lake City = $140,097), job availability (9 vs 150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Midvale vs Salt Lake City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $78,671 in Midvale and $51,521 in Salt Lake City. The Midvale area offers higher starting salaries.
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