Entry-Level Optometrist Salary in Boise City, ID: $63,835 (2026)
Quick Answer:New optometrists entering the Boise City, ID job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $63,835 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1041, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Boise City's local price level (BEA RPP 98.4 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $64,879 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($106,965) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the optometry field in Boise City can anticipate a starting salary around $63,835, reflecting the entry-level optometrist salary landscape in Idaho. This figure represents a notable gap when compared to the city's median annual salary of $106,965. However, the earning potential can grow significantly as new optometrists gain experience, with earnings expected to rise to approximately $75,305 at the 25th percentile and potentially approaching the median level within the first few years of practice. With projected annual growth of 2.96%, Boise City proves to be a moderately appealing market for recent graduates looking to launch their careers in optometry, despite the median salary being approximately 23.93% below the national average of $140,612.
Career Earnings Timeline in Boise City
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 Boise City
Entry-level optometrists in Boise City, ID typically start between $63,835 and $75,305 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $131,346 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $106,965 — 23.93% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average optometry program cost in Idaho of $135,000 represents just 211.48% of the starting optometrist pay ($63,835/year) in Boise City. 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 Boise City
- 1Research the Boise City market: entry-level optometrist pay ranges from $63,835 to $75,305, 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 ID often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Boise City, 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 Boise City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Boise City'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 Boise City is $131,346 ( 205.76%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $63,835, experienced hygienists can earn up to $195,181.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$82,090
2025 BLS Actual
$62,000
2026 Current Est.
$63,835
2019–2027 Growth
+-19.9%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Boise City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,090 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,100 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,810 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,000 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,835 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,725 | Projected |
Entry-level optometrist compensation (10th percentile) in Boise City, ID grew -24.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $82,090 in 2019 to $62,000 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $65,725. New graduates entering the Boise City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boise City 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 Boise City
Those who are newly minted Doctors of Optometry in Boise City have a variety of employment opportunities. Retail chains like LensCrafters, Visionworks, and MyEyeDr. are often the first to hire recent graduates, as they typically offer structured programs to facilitate a smooth transition from education to practice. In addition, traditional OD/MD practices may prefer candidates with residency training, especially in specialties like ocular disease and pediatric care. To enhance their starting pay, newly licensed optometrists in Idaho should focus on completing an OD degree from an ACOE-accredited institution and acquiring the necessary credentials such as the NBEO Parts I-III and state licensure. Continuing education in areas like glaucoma management and pharmacological treatments will not only expand their practice capabilities but also allow for better alignment with the evolving scope of optometry. As MyEyeDr and other chains continue to consolidate, insights into private practice dynamics will be essential for career strategy in the initial years, where realistic upward salary movement in Boise City should be anticipated for those who remain adaptable.
More salary data for Boise City, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is optometry school worth it in Boise City?
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Related Pages
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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 Boise City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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