Optometrist Salary in Arizona: $127,749 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arizona's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median optometrist pay sits at $127,749/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1041. Because Arizona sits at BEA RPP 98.5 (1% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $129,694 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Tucson ($157,650), Scottsdale ($141,766), Glendale ($141,267).
In 2026, optometrists in Arizona are projected to earn an average median salary of $127,750, which is approximately 9.1% lower than the national median of $140,612. The salary range across the state varies significantly, with Tucson offering the highest average at $162,316, while Mesa presents the lowest average at $118,815, creating a salary gap of $43,501. This disparity is primarily driven by factors such as the cost of living in different cities, demand for eye care services, and local economic conditions. Arizona's scope of practice laws allow optometrists to perform a wide range of procedures, which can influence salary levels depending on the specific responsibilities undertaken in different locations. Additionally, state licensing requirements are rigorous, ensuring that practitioners meet high standards of care. The job market for optometrists in Arizona shows a healthy outlook, with a projected growth rate of 2.96% annually, reflecting an increasing demand for eye care among the state's population. With 1,574 optometrists employed statewide, cities like Scottsdale ($145,962), Glendale ($145,449), Gilbert ($142,013), and Peoria ($141,549) are also notable for offering competitive salaries, indicative of localized demand for optometric services.
Arizona Optometrist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arizona: $68,912 (lowest entry-level) to $222,757 (highest top earner)
Arizona vs National Average
Arizona optometrists earn 9.15% less than the national median ($-12,863/year difference).
Arizona Optometrist Salary Distribution (2026)
Optometrist salaries in Arizona range from $92,674 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $186,860 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $127,749. The Arizona median is $12,863 below the US national median of $140,612. The average hourly rate is $61.42/hr. Approximately 1,574 optometrists are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$120,211
2025 BLS Actual
$124,077
2026 Current Est.
$127,749
2019–2027 Growth
+9.4%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Arizona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $120,211 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,048 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,620 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $135,535 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,077 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,749 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,531 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arizona metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 3.2% from $120,211 (2019) to $124,077 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,531 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,320 (9.42%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arizona 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Arizona
Lowest Paying Cities in Arizona
Best Value Cities for Optometrists in Arizona
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arizona cities offer the most purchasing power for optometrists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson | $162,316 | 96.896 | $167,516 |
| Scottsdale | $145,962 | 98.5 | $148,185 |
| Glendale | $145,449 | 98.5 | $147,664 |
| Gilbert | $142,013 | 98.5 | $144,176 |
| Peoria | $141,549 | 98.5 | $143,705 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arizona
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $92,674 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $127,749 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $186,860 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arizona metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Arizona
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tucson | $162,316 |
| 2 | Scottsdale | $145,962 |
| 3 | Glendale | $145,449 |
| 4 | Gilbert | $142,013 |
| 5 | Peoria | $141,549 |
| 6 | Maricopa | $140,392 |
| 7 | Avondale | $140,184 |
| 8 | Marana | $139,657 |
| 9 | Yuma | $139,558 |
| 10 | San Tan Valley | $139,251 |
| 11 | Tempe | $139,088 |
| 12 | Surprise | $138,203 |
| 13 | Goodyear | $137,990 |
| 14 | Lake Havasu City | $137,441 |
| 15 | Queen Creek | $137,408 |
| 16 | Buckeye | $136,125 |
| 17 | Flagstaff | $135,214 |
| 18 | Florence | $135,202 |
| 19 | Casa Grande | $134,907 |
| 20 | Bullhead City | $134,891 |
| 21 | El Mirage | $134,289 |
| 22 | Kingman | $133,955 |
| 23 | Sahuarita | $133,708 |
| 24 | Prescott Valley | $133,686 |
| 25 | Prescott | $133,633 |
| 26 | Apache Junction | $133,536 |
| 27 | Sierra Vista | $132,504 |
| 28 | Oro Valley | $131,290 |
| 29 | Nogales | $130,469 |
| 30 | Sedona | $130,021 |
| 31 | Chandler | $120,228 |
| 32 | Phoenix | $119,392 |
| 33 | Mesa | $118,815 |
More Arizona Salary Data
Compare Cities in Arizona
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Arizona in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for optometrists in Arizona?
How does Arizona optometrist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level optometrist salary in Arizona?
How many optometrists are employed in Arizona?
Which Arizona city offers the best value for optometrists?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 optometrist compensation across Arizona. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more optometristscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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