Entry-Level Optometrist Salary in Sioux City, IA: $74,259 (2026)
Quick Answer:New optometrists entering the Sioux City, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $74,259 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1041, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Sioux City's local price level (BEA RPP 90.4 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $82,145 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($128,032) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the optometry field, Sioux City presents a realistic starting point with an entry-level optometrist salary of approximately $74,259 in 2026. This figure is considerably lower than the overall median annual salary of $128,032 for optometrists in the area, indicating a potential gap that new grads need to consider. However, the trajectory for early-career optometrists can be promising, as growth from the $74,259 starting point to the 25th percentile salary of $100,784 reflects increasing earning potential over the first few years of practice. With a projected annual growth rate of 2.96%, Sioux City remains a viable market for new optometry graduates, particularly in light of the expanding scope of practice that enhances job satisfaction and opportunities.
About the Sioux City Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Sioux 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 Sioux City
Entry-level optometrists in Sioux City, IA typically start between $74,259 and $100,784 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $110,354 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $128,032 — 8.95% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average optometry program cost in Iowa of $140,000 represents just 188.53% of the starting optometrist pay ($74,259/year) in Sioux 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 Sioux City
- 1Research the Sioux City market: entry-level optometrist pay ranges from $74,259 to $100,784, 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 IA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Sioux 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 Sioux City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Sioux City's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Optometrist Compensation Range
The optometrist wage spread in Sioux City is $110,354 ( 148.61%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $74,259, experienced hygienists can earn up to $184,613.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,029
2025 BLS Actual
$72,124
2026 Current Est.
$74,259
2019–2027 Growth
+34.1%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Sioux City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,029 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,522 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,331 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,597 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,598 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,124 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,259 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,457 | Projected |
Entry-level optometrist compensation (10th percentile) in Sioux City, IA grew 26.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $57,029 in 2019 to $72,124 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $76,457. New graduates entering the Sioux City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux 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 Sioux City
Employers in Sioux City that actively seek to hire new optometrists often include retail chains like LensCrafters and Visionworks, which typically offer structured development programs designed for recent graduates. Additionally, residency-trained optometrists have opportunities with OD/MD practices, while the Veterans Affairs system often recruits through residency pipelines. To enhance starting pay, acquiring credentials such as an OD degree from an ACOE-accredited institution and completing the required National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) examinations is essential. Moreover, engaging in a one-year residency, particularly in ocular disease or pediatrics, or obtaining glaucoma and oral pharmaceutical certification can further elevate an optometrist’s earning potential. For first-year optometrists, realistic salary growth expectations should factor in the current market dynamics, especially as retail chain employment experiences changes in structure and as private equity influences private practices in the region. Understanding these elements will be vital for new grad optometrists as they build their careers in Sioux City, Iowa.
More salary data for Sioux City, IA:
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 Sioux City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Sioux City is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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