Optometrist Salary in Anchorage, AK: $171,943 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Anchorage, AK earns a median $171,943/year (≈ $82.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Anchorage's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.4), that paycheck buys what $163,103 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.3% above the Alaska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Advancing in the field of optometry in Anchorage, Alaska, can yield substantial financial rewards, highlighted by a median annual salary of $171,943. This figure sits comfortably above the national median of $140,612, showcasing the city’s competitive edge in compensation. The salary range for optometrists in Anchorage stretches from $80,504 at the 10th percentile to $210,739 at the 90th percentile. Such figures, drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflect the evolving job market where ownership structures—whether private practices, retail chains, or ophthalmology partnerships—can greatly influence earnings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,504 | $38.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,924 | $51.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $171,943 | $82.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $209,534 | $100.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $210,739 | $101.31 |
Median Salary Position
22.28% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Anchorage
In Anchorage, AK, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $130,235 (2026 est.). At $171,943, the local median is 22.28% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Anchorage: You'd be above the median
How Anchorage Optometrist Pay Compares
Anchorage median: $171,943/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Anchorage Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Average | $149,127 | +15.30% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +22.28% more |
Optometrists in Anchorage, AK earn a median of $171,943 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.28% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 15.30% above the Alaska state average of $149,127.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Anchorage has a cost of living 5.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Anchorage, AK has a cost-of-living index of 105.42 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $171,943 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $163,103 — a 5.14% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$140,930
2025 BLS Actual
$167,000
2026 Current Est.
$171,943
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Anchorage (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $140,930 | Actual |
| 2020 | $123,230 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,440 | Actual |
| 2022 | $214,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,010 | Actual |
| 2024 | $162,980 | Actual |
| 2025 | $167,000 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $171,943 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $177,033 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Anchorage metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $140,930 (2019) to $167,000 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $177,033 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,103 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Anchorage 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) | $80,504 – $106,924 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,924 – $171,943 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $171,943 – $209,534 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $209,534 – $210,739 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Anchorage
With 30 optometrists currently employed in the area, the market presents unique opportunities and challenges. The cost of living index in Anchorage stands at 105.42, indicating that while salaries are relatively high, living expenses are also above the national average. Optometrists in private practices, especially those with ownership stakes, tend to receive the highest compensation, as they can benefit from establishment equity. Conversely, retail optical chains such as LensCrafters and Visionworks may offer lower pay structures but provide stability. Factors like residency training in ocular disease, working alongside ophthalmologists in OD/MD models, and the competitive landscape post-acquisition by private equity firms contribute to the discrepancies in pay. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Anchorage, considering practice ownership or specialized roles in advanced clinical care may provide the best financial strategies.
More salary data for Anchorage, AK:
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 $167,000 for optometristsin the Anchorage 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
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