Entry-Level Optometrist Salary in Olympia, WA: $98,522 (2026)
Quick Answer:New optometrists entering the Olympia, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $98,522 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1041, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Olympia's local price level (BEA RPP 103.7 — 4% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $95,034 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($146,945) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For graduates stepping into optometry in Olympia, Washington, the starting optometrist salary in 2026 is set at $98,522. While this figure may appear modest when compared with the city’s median annual salary of $146,945, new optometrists can expect to bridge this gap as they gain experience. Over the first three to five years, earnings typically progress from entry-level wages to around $119,763 as observed among those in the 25th percentile, ultimately aligning closer to the median. Given the estimated annual growth rate of 2.96% for optometrists in the area, Olympia currently presents a promising job market for new graduates ready to begin their professional journey.
Career Earnings Timeline in Olympia
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 Olympia
Entry-level optometrists in Olympia, WA typically start between $98,522 and $119,763 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $89,370 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $146,945 — 4.5% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average optometry program cost in Washington of $170,000 represents just 172.55% of the starting optometrist pay ($98,522/year) in Olympia. 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 Olympia
- 1Research the Olympia market: entry-level optometrist pay ranges from $98,522 to $119,763, 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 WA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Olympia, 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 Olympia for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Olympia'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 Olympia is $89,370 ( 90.71%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $98,522, experienced hygienists can earn up to $187,892.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$75,662
2025 BLS Actual
$95,690
2026 Current Est.
$98,522
2019–2027 Growth
+34.1%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Olympia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,662 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,050 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,717 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,780 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,590 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,650 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,522 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,439 | Projected |
Entry-level optometrist compensation (10th percentile) in Olympia, WA grew 26.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $75,662 in 2019 to $95,690 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $101,439. New graduates entering the Olympia job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Olympia 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 Olympia
Job opportunities for entry-level optometrists in Olympia can be found across various employers. Major retail chains like LensCrafters, Visionworks, and MyEyeDr are known for hiring new graduates and often provide structured onboarding processes to ease the transition into practice. In addition, optometry and ophthalmology practices may prefer residency-trained optometrists for more specialized roles, such as glaucoma management or ocular disease, which require advanced skills. Attaining an OD degree from an ACOE-accredited institution, passing the NBEO Parts I-III, and obtaining state licensure are key steps that can enhance initial compensation. Furthermore, participation in continuing education, especially regarding emerging treatments and techniques, can play a vital role in career advancement. Realistically, in the first few years, new graduate optometrists can expect their salaries to rise steadily as they gain valuable experience and credentials, aligning their earnings with the growing scope of practice that includes a wider range of therapeutic options and techniques.
More salary data for Olympia, WA:
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 Olympia. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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