Optometrist Salary in Tempe, AZ: $139,088 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Tempe, AZ earns a median $139,088/year (≈ $66.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Tempe's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $141,206 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected median annual optometrist salary in Tempe, Arizona, is $139,088 for 2026, slightly below the national median of $140,612. This figure reflects local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price variations. Optometrists in Tempe can expect a salary range spanning from $80,671 at the 10th percentile to $203,181 at the 90th percentile. Such earnings highlight the potential for significant income growth, particularly for those engaged in surgical co-management partnerships with ophthalmologists, which can substantially boost overall compensation. In Tempe, this model is increasingly vital for both revenue generation and professional development amid evolving scopes of practice.
About the Tempe Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,671 | $38.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $112,850 | $54.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,088 | $66.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,392 | $80.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $203,181 | $97.69 |
Median Salary Position
1.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tempe
In Tempe, AZ, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $122,510 (2026 est.). At $139,088, the local median is 1.08% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tempe: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tempe Optometrist Pay Compares
Tempe median: $139,088/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tempe Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $138,534 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -1.08% less |
Optometrists in Tempe, AZ earn a median of $139,088 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.08% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.40% above the Arizona state average of $138,534.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tempe 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.
Tempe, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $139,088 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $141,206 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,000
2025 BLS Actual
$135,089
2026 Current Est.
$139,088
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Tempe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,000 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,952 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,228 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,537 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,089 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,088 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,205 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tempe metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $114,000 (2019) to $135,089 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,205 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,205 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tempe 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) | $80,671 – $112,850 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $112,850 – $139,088 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,088 – $166,392 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,392 – $203,181 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Tempe
Analyzing the job market for optometrists in Tempe reveals a competitive environment, with 43 optometrists currently practicing in the area. The cost of living index for Tempe stands at 98.5, offering favorable conditions that can enhance real purchasing power for optometry professionals. Employers with the highest pay are typically found in the ophthalmology sector, particularly those utilizing the OD/MD collaborative model, which allows for beneficial revenue-sharing agreements. On the other end, retail optical chains may offer lower salaries but more predictable work environments. The variance in pay is influenced by practice ownership, the value of advanced residency training in ocular disease, and how compensation structures are managed following acquisition by private equity firms. To maximize earnings in this market, optometrists should consider aligning with practices that offer equity stakes, pursuing additional training in specialized areas, and exploring collaborative practice opportunities that leverage their scope of practice in managing conditions like glaucoma.
More salary data for Tempe, AZ:
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 $135,089 for optometristsin the Tempe 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 Tempe 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