Entry-Level Optometrist Salary in Tulsa, OK: $78,898 (2026)
Quick Answer:New optometrists entering the Tulsa, OK job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $78,898 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1041, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Tulsa's local price level (BEA RPP 89.2 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $88,437 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($103,217) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Tulsa presents a modestly favorable job market for new optometrists entering the field in 2026, with starting positions offering salaries beginning around $78,898. Although this initial pay is significantly below the city's median of $103,217, new graduates can expect a growth trajectory over their first few years as they gain experience and potentially move into more lucrative roles. The path from entry-level salaries to the 25th percentile at $94,836, and ultimately approaching the median, illustrates a realistic advancement as new optometrists build their practice and establish client relationships in this evolving market. Given the projected 2.96% growth rate for the occupation, this framework indicates that while starting out in Tulsa may not match national averages, there are ample opportunities for salary enhancement as practitioners navigate the early years of their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Tulsa
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 Tulsa
Entry-level optometrists in Tulsa, OK typically start between $78,898 and $94,836 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $107,089 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $103,217 — 26.59% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average optometry program cost in Oklahoma of $125,000 represents just 158.43% of the starting optometrist pay ($78,898/year) in Tulsa. 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 Tulsa
- 1Research the Tulsa market: entry-level optometrist pay ranges from $78,898 to $94,836, 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 OK often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Tulsa, 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 Tulsa for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Tulsa'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 Tulsa is $107,089 ( 135.73%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $78,898, experienced hygienists can earn up to $185,987.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$88,000
2025 BLS Actual
$76,630
2026 Current Est.
$78,898
2019–2027 Growth
+-7.7%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Tulsa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,000 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,050 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,611 | Actual |
| 2023 | $28,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $29,780 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,630 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,898 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,234 | Projected |
Entry-level optometrist compensation (10th percentile) in Tulsa, OK grew -12.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $88,000 in 2019 to $76,630 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $81,234. New graduates entering the Tulsa job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tulsa 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 Tulsa
Those entering the optometry profession will find that various employers in Tulsa are actively seeking newly graduated optometrists. Retail chains like LensCrafters and MyEyeDr provide structured onboarding processes, making them prime options for new grads. Moreover, residency-trained optometrists can explore positions in the VA system or with OD/MD practices that emphasize advanced training through programs such as the ACOE-accredited optometry school and successful completion of NBEO Parts I-III. To enhance starting pay, obtaining state licensure, pursuing ongoing education, and considering options like glaucoma and oral pharmaceutical agent certifications are invaluable. Potential candidates should contemplate the impact of industry shifts, such as the decline of retail chains due to recent acquisitions, which may change hiring patterns in Tulsa's optometry field. Realistically, within the first one to three years, new graduates can anticipate their earnings to gradually increase, aligning with their expanding skills and the broader scope of optometric practice in Oklahoma.
More salary data for Tulsa, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Tulsa. 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