Entry-Level Optometrist Salary in Denver, CO: $82,028 (2026)
Quick Answer:New optometrists entering the Denver, CO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $82,028 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1041, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Denver's local price level (BEA RPP 105.8 — 6% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $77,544 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($162,811) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, those stepping into their first roles as optometrists in Denver can expect an entry-level optometrist salary around $82,028, which illustrates a significant gap from the city's median annual salary of $162,811. This disparity highlights the typical progression that many new graduates experience in their early careers, moving from the starting pay level towards the 25th percentile salary of $131,078 as they gain experience and build their patient base over the next few years. With Denver’s current job market healthy for optometrists—partly reflected in a 2.96% annual growth rate—recent graduates can anticipate a stable environment to start their careers, provided they align their skill sets with current employer preferences and market demands.
Career Earnings Timeline in Denver
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denver
Entry-level optometrists in Denver, CO typically start between $82,028 and $131,078 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $138,945 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $162,811 — 15.79% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average optometry program cost in Colorado of $160,000 represents just 195.06% of the starting optometrist pay ($82,028/year) in Denver. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ACOE-accredited Doctor of Optometry programs. Public school OD programs offer lower in-state tuition, while private institutions carry higher out-of-pocket costs. Totals reflect tuition and fees for the 4-year professional program; clinical rotation travel and living costs add to the total cost of attendance.
OD Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Denver
- 1Research the Denver market: entry-level optometrist pay ranges from $82,028 to $131,078, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the optometry field — employers in CO often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Denver, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Denver for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Denver's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Optometrist Compensation Range
The optometrist wage spread in Denver is $138,945 ( 169.39%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $82,028, experienced hygienists can earn up to $220,973.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$86,290
2025 BLS Actual
$79,670
2026 Current Est.
$82,028
2019–2027 Growth
+-2.1%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Denver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,050 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,050 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,840 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,670 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,028 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,456 | Projected |
Entry-level optometrist compensation (10th percentile) in Denver, CO grew -7.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $86,290 in 2019 to $79,670 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $84,456. New graduates entering the Denver job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denver metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.96% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your optometry Career in Denver
Employers in Denver are eager to recruit newly minted optometrists, especially from retail chains like LensCrafters and Visionworks, which actively hire graduates and often provide structured onboarding programs. Those who seek roles in residency-trained practices or the VA system may find additional opportunities, although these positions often come with higher expectations, such as completed residencies in ocular disease or pediatric care. To successfully enhance their new grad optometrist pay in CO, candidates should focus on obtaining credentials from an ACOE-accredited optometry school along with passing the NBEO Parts I-III. Additionally, pursuing optional certifications—like glaucoma management or oral pharmacology—can elevate their earning potential. With realistic salary growth expectations over the first few years, new optometrists will find that bolstering their qualifications and targeting their job search toward dynamic practices can lead to a more prosperous career.
More salary data for Denver, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new optometry graduates. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Denver. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.96%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for optometrists (SOC 29-1041).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov