Optometrist Salary in Peoria, AZ: $141,549 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Peoria, AZ earns a median $141,549/year (≈ $68.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Peoria's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $143,705 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the competitive field of optometry, the 2026 median annual salary in Peoria, Arizona, is projected at $141,549, slightly above the national average of $140,612. The salary range for optometrists spans from $82,098 to $219,402, reflecting the diverse practice structure within the local market. Many optometrists have the opportunity to choose between various employment settings, such as ownership of private practices, partnerships in group practices, or employment at retail chains. Given Peoria's relatively lower cost of living index of 98.5—indicating affordable living conditions compared to the national average—opting for practice ownership or a well-structured associate position can significantly enhance earnings potential and job satisfaction in this evolving marketplace.
About the Peoria Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,098 | $39.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,399 | $52.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $141,549 | $68.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,446 | $81.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $219,402 | $105.48 |
Median Salary Position
0.67% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Peoria
In Peoria, AZ, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $137,304 (2026 est.). At $141,549, the local median is 0.67% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Peoria: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Peoria Optometrist Pay Compares
Peoria median: $141,549/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Peoria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $138,502 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +0.67% more |
Optometrists in Peoria, AZ earn a median of $141,549 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.67% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.20% above the Arizona state average of $138,502.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Peoria 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.
Peoria, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $141,549 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,705 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,018
2025 BLS Actual
$137,480
2026 Current Est.
$141,549
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Peoria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,018 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,837 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,128 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,427 | Actual |
| 2023 | $132,739 | Actual |
| 2024 | $135,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $137,480 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,549 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,739 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Peoria metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $116,018 (2019) to $137,480 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,739 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,721 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Peoria 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) | $82,098 – $109,399 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,399 – $141,549 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $141,549 – $169,446 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,446 – $219,402 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Peoria
With 33 optometrists employed in Peoria, the local job market shows a robust demand for eye care professionals. This demand is balanced against the cost-of-living reality, where the index indicates that while salaries may feel slightly elevated, they still afford a comfortable lifestyle. Private practice ownership often results in the highest earnings, especially when practitioners establish a solid patient base and develop strong referral networks. The disparity between lower and higher salaries can also be attributed to factors such as practice ownership equity, specialized training in ocular disease, and participation in ophthalmological practices which offer surgical referral revenue. For those aiming to maximize their pay, pursuing residency training and aligning with both ophthalmologic and retail optical employers could provide a distinct advantage in the Peoria market.
More salary data for Peoria, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Peoria?
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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 $137,480 for optometristsin the Peoria 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 Peoria 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