Optometrist Salary in Pelham, AL: $114,300 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Pelham, AL earns a median $114,300/year (≈ $54.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Pelham's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $130,034 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pelham, Alabama, the projected median annual optometrist salary in 2026 reaches $114,300, considerably lower than the national average of $140,612. Local salaries range from $68,816 at the 10th percentile to $158,173 at the 90th percentile, reflecting diverse practice structures within the area. Optometrists in Pelham may choose between independent practice ownership, employed associate roles, or working with retail optical chains. The choice of employment setting significantly influences earnings; those in private practices often have greater control over their revenue and expenses compared to their counterparts in retail chains. This dynamic reflects the ongoing shifts in the job market for optometry in Pelham, influenced by local economic conditions and evolving patient care needs.
About the Pelham Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,816 | $33.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,123 | $45.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $114,300 | $54.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $134,266 | $64.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $158,173 | $76.05 |
Median Salary Position
18.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pelham
In Pelham, AL, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $89,357 (2026 est.). At $114,300, the local median is 18.71% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pelham: You'd be above the median
How Pelham Optometrist Pay Compares
Pelham median: $114,300/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pelham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $123,568 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -18.71% less |
Optometrists in Pelham, AL earn a median of $114,300 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.71% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 7.50% below the Alabama state average of $123,568.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pelham has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pelham, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $114,300 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $130,034 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$93,684
2025 BLS Actual
$111,014
2026 Current Est.
$114,300
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Pelham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $93,684 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,089 | Actual |
| 2023 | $107,185 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,919 | Actual |
| 2025 | $111,014 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $114,300 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $117,683 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pelham metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $93,684 (2019) to $111,014 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $117,683 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,999 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pelham 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $68,816 – $95,123 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,123 – $114,300 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $114,300 – $134,266 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $134,266 – $158,173 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Pelham
Employment context is critical when assessing optometrist pay in Pelham, where only four professionals currently practice. With a cost-of-living index of 87.9, the area offers a lower living expense compared to national standards, which can enhance take-home purchasing power. Employers that typically compensate optometrists more favorably include private optometry practices and certain ophthalmology groups, especially those leveraging an OD/MD collaborative model. The disparity in pay can often be attributed to practice ownership equity, specialty areas such as ocular disease, and the terms set after acquisitions of private practices by larger firms. For new optometrists or those looking to maximize their income in Pelham, pursuing residency training could be beneficial, while understanding the local employment landscape can help align career goals with financial outcomes.
More salary data for Pelham, AL:
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $111,014 for optometristsin the Pelham metropolitan area. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Pelham 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