Optometrist Salary

Provo vs West Valley City: Optometrist Salary (2026)

Compare optometrist salaries between Provo, UT and West Valley City, UT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Provo, UT
$88,803
$42.70/hr
West Valley City, UT
$139,928
$67.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricProvo, UTWest Valley City, UT
Median Salary$88,803$139,928
Hourly Rate$42.70$67.27
Entry Level (P10)$36,355$81,158
25th Percentile$49,308$106,895
75th Percentile$155,099$169,107
Top Earner (P90)$177,585$207,286
Total Employed6023
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Provo ($88,803) and West Valley City ($139,928) optometrist salaries.ProvoWest Valley CityMedian Salary$88,803$139,928Entry Level (P10)$36,355$81,158Top Earner (P90)$177,585$207,286US Median $140,612

Verdict

West Valley City, UT offers better overall compensation for optometrists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Provo.

The salary gap between Provo and West Valley City is $51,125 (57.57%). West Valley City's median is -0.49% compared to the US national median of $140,612.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Provo spans $141,230,West Valley City spans $126,128. Provo has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Provo
P10 (Entry)$36,355
P25$49,308
Median$88,803
P75$155,099
P90 (Top)$177,585
West Valley City
P10 (Entry)$81,158
P25$106,895
Median$139,928
P75$169,107
P90 (Top)$207,286

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, West Valley City ($142,638 effective) pays 57.78% more than Provo ($90,401 effective).

Provo
Nominal: $88,803
CoL Index: 98.232
Adjusted: $90,401
West Valley City
Nominal: $139,928
CoL Index: 98.1
Adjusted: $142,638

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Provo if…

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

Choose West Valley City if…

  • Higher median salary ($139,928/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($207,286)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $142,638)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, optometrist salaries in Provo grew 24.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 6.7% growth in West Valley City over the same period.

Provo, UT

+24.4%

$69,340 (2019) → $86,250 (2025)

West Valley City, UT

+6.7%

$127,377 (2024) → $135,905 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays optometrists more: Provo or West Valley City?

West Valley City has a higher median optometrist salary at $139,928/year, compared to Provo at $88,803/year — a difference of $51,125 (57.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Provo and West Valley City?

Provo optometrists earn $42.70/hr while West Valley City hygienists earn $67.27/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Provo to West Valley City as a optometrist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Provo and West Valley City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Provo = $90,401, West Valley City = $142,638), job availability (60 vs 23 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level optometrists earn in Provo vs West Valley City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) optometrists earn $36,355 in Provo and $81,158 in West Valley City. The West Valley City 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