Optometrist Salary

North Las Vegas vs Reno: Optometrist Salary (2026)

Compare optometrist salaries between North Las Vegas, NV and Reno, NV. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

North Las Vegas, NV
$138,884
$66.77/hr
Reno, NV
$145,410
$69.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNorth Las Vegas, NVReno, NV
Median Salary$138,884$145,410
Hourly Rate$66.77$69.91
Entry Level (P10)$80,553$102,486
25th Percentile$111,311$139,820
75th Percentile$174,311$186,893
Top Earner (P90)$215,270$186,893
Total Employed3880
Side-by-side bar chart comparing North Las Vegas ($138,884) and Reno ($145,410) optometrist salaries.North Las VegasRenoMedian Salary$138,884$145,410Entry Level (P10)$80,553$102,486Top Earner (P90)$215,270$186,893US Median $140,612

Verdict

Reno, NV offers better overall compensation for optometrists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to North Las Vegas.

The salary gap between North Las Vegas and Reno is $6,526 (4.70%). Reno's median is +3.41% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in North Las Vegas spans $134,717,Reno spans $84,407. North Las Vegas has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

North Las Vegas
P10 (Entry)$80,553
P25$111,311
Median$138,884
P75$174,311
P90 (Top)$215,270
Reno
P10 (Entry)$102,486
P25$139,820
Median$145,410
P75$186,893
P90 (Top)$186,893

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Reno ($143,950 effective) pays 1.89% more than North Las Vegas ($141,286 effective).

North Las Vegas
Nominal: $138,884
CoL Index: 98.3
Adjusted: $141,286
Reno
Nominal: $145,410
CoL Index: 101.014
Adjusted: $143,950

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose North Las Vegas if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($215,270)
  • You prefer the Nevada area and lifestyle

Choose Reno if…

  • Higher median salary ($145,410/year)
  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $143,950)
  • You prefer the Nevada area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in North Las Vegas grew -0.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 6.3% growth in Reno over the same period.

North Las Vegas, NV

+-0.9%

$136,112 (2024) → $134,891 (2025)

Reno, NV

+6.3%

$132,860 (2020) → $141,230 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: North Las Vegas or Reno?

Reno has a higher median optometrist salary at $145,410/year, compared to North Las Vegas at $138,884/year — a difference of $6,526 (4.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between North Las Vegas and Reno?

North Las Vegas optometrists earn $66.77/hr while Reno hygienists earn $69.91/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from North Las Vegas to Reno as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing North Las Vegas and Reno. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: North Las Vegas = $141,286, Reno = $143,950), job availability (38 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in North Las Vegas vs Reno?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $80,553 in North Las Vegas and $102,486 in Reno. The Reno 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