Optometrist Salary in Mesa, AZ: $118,815 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Mesa, AZ earns a median $118,815/year (≈ $57.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Mesa's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $120,624 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.2% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Mesa, Arizona, the projected median annual optometrist salary in 2026 is $118,815, reflecting the growing responsibilities within the profession, including glaucoma management and the prescription of oral medications. These expanded scopes of practice can contribute to higher earning potential among practitioners. Salaries for optometrists in the area range significantly from $68,912 at the 10th percentile to $178,572 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse job market tailored to various levels of experience and practice settings. The estimates provided here are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions, which helps illustrate the competitive landscape for optometrist pay in Mesa, AZ.
About the Mesa Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,912 | $33.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,137 | $45.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $118,815 | $57.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $144,530 | $69.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $178,572 | $85.85 |
Median Salary Position
15.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mesa
In Mesa, AZ, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,660 (2026 est.). At $118,815, the local median is 15.5% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mesa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mesa Optometrist Pay Compares
Mesa median: $118,815/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mesa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $138,479 | -14.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -15.50% less |
Optometrists in Mesa, AZ earn a median of $118,815 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.50% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 14.20% below the Arizona state average of $138,479.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mesa has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Mesa, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $118,815 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $120,624 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$97,384
2025 BLS Actual
$115,399
2026 Current Est.
$118,815
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Mesa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,384 | Actual |
| 2020 | $99,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $105,031 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,121 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,419 | Actual |
| 2024 | $142,918 | Actual |
| 2025 | $115,399 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $118,815 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $122,332 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mesa metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $97,384 (2019) to $115,399 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $122,332 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,948 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mesa 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) | $68,912 – $95,137 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,137 – $118,815 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $118,815 – $144,530 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $144,530 – $178,572 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Mesa
Mesa presents an intriguing job market for optometrists, with 98 employed in the area, combined with a cost of living index standing at 98.5, which is slightly below the national average. This means while salaries may appear lower than the national level, the purchasing power can remain competitive for residents. Various employers contribute to the salary variance, with higher pay often found in ophthalmology practices that utilize an OD/MD model, alongside private practices that have experienced mergers with larger healthcare systems. Strategies for maximizing optometrist pay in Mesa include pursuing residency training in ocular disease, considering ownership stakes in private practices, and leveraging experiences from previously independent practices that have been acquired by private equity firms, which may offer different compensation packages. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for new and seasoned optometrists alike, as they chart their career paths in the local market.
More salary data for Mesa, AZ:
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
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 $115,399 for optometristsin the Mesa 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 Mesa 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