Optometrist Salary in Sierra Vista, AZ: $132,504 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Sierra Vista, AZ earns a median $132,504/year (≈ $63.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Sierra Vista's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $134,522 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sierra Vista, Arizona, the average annual compensation for an optometrist is projected to reach $132,504 in 2026, slightly below the national average of $140,612 for the same year. The salary for local optometrists varies significantly, with a range spanning from $77,292 at the lower end to $190,184 at the upper 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reflect the local labor market’s dynamics, particularly as optometrists in Sierra Vista increasingly engage in a broader scope of practice that includes glaucoma management, oral medications, and select laser procedures. This evolving landscape offers opportunities for improved earning potential as the profession continues to adapt to technological advancements and patient care needs in the region.
About the Sierra Vista Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,292 | $37.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,954 | $52.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,504 | $63.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158,303 | $76.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $190,184 | $91.44 |
Median Salary Position
5.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sierra Vista
In Sierra Vista, AZ, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $112,892 (2026 est.). At $132,504, the local median is 5.77% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sierra Vista: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sierra Vista Optometrist Pay Compares
Sierra Vista median: $132,504/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sierra Vista Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $138,458 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -5.77% less |
Optometrists in Sierra Vista, AZ earn a median of $132,504 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.77% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.30% below the Arizona state average of $138,458.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sierra Vista 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.
Sierra Vista, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $132,504 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,522 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$108,604
2025 BLS Actual
$128,695
2026 Current Est.
$132,504
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Sierra Vista (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,604 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,243 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,133 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,348 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,257 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,216 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,695 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,504 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,427 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sierra Vista metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $108,604 (2019) to $128,695 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,427 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,823 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sierra Vista 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) | $77,292 – $108,954 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,954 – $132,504 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,504 – $158,303 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $158,303 – $190,184 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Sierra Vista
With only nine optometrists employed in Sierra Vista, the local job market may appear limited; however, the cost-of-living index sits at 98.5, indicating that everyday expenses are manageable, contributing positively to take-home purchasing power. Employers within the region vary widely in terms of compensation, with private practice potentially offering higher pay due to factors like ownership equity and personalized patient care. Meanwhile, retail optical chains and larger healthcare systems might provide steady employment but often with lower wages. The disparity between salaries can be influenced by whether optometrists work alongside ophthalmologists in OD/MD models, the level of residency training, particularly in ocular disease, and the contractual terms of private equity acquisition affecting previously independent practices. For those looking to maximize their pay in Sierra Vista, pursuing advanced training and engaging in practices that emphasize personal patient relationships may be particularly beneficial.
More salary data for Sierra Vista, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Sierra Vista?
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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 $128,695 for optometristsin the Sierra Vista 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 Sierra Vista 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