Optometrist Salary in Tucson, AZ: $162,316 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Tucson, AZ earns a median $162,316/year (≈ $78.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Tucson's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.9), that paycheck buys what $167,516 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 17.2% above the Arizona state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, Tucson's optometrists can expect a median annual salary of $162,316, reflecting a competitive positioning in the market compared to the national median of $140,612. The full salary range spans from $100,643 at the lower end (P10) to $174,074 for the highest earners (P90), showcasing the potential for significant earnings based on experience, practice type, and patient volume. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, this salary range indicates robust compensation opportunities fueled by the evolving OD/MD model, where surgical co-management contributes notably to optometrist pay in Tucson AZ. With the local job market employing 80 optometrists, this growing demand hints at a favorable outlook for those entering or advancing in the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $100,643 | $48.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,463 | $50.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $162,316 | $78.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,252 | $78.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $174,074 | $83.70 |
Median Salary Position
15.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tucson
In Tucson, AZ, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,431 (2026 est.). At $162,316, the local median is 15.44% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tucson: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Tucson Optometrist Pay Compares
Tucson median: $162,316/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tucson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $138,495 | +17.20% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +15.44% more |
Optometrists in Tucson, AZ earn a median of $162,316 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.44% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 17.20% above the Arizona state average of $138,495.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tucson has a cost of living 3.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tucson, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 96.896 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $162,316 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $167,516 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.2% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$135,340
2025 BLS Actual
$157,650
2026 Current Est.
$162,316
2019–2027 Growth
+23.5%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Tucson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $135,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $140,330 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $109,680 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $141,530 | Actual |
| 2025 | $157,650 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $162,316 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $167,121 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tucson metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 16.5% from $135,340 (2019) to $157,650 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $167,121 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,781 (23.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tucson 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) | $100,643 – $104,463 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,463 – $162,316 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $162,316 – $164,252 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,252 – $174,074 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Tucson
Given Tucson's cost of living index at 96.896, practitioners in the area enjoy a more advantageous purchasing power compared to many parts of the United States. Notable employers that pay well include private optometry practices and ophthalmology groups, particularly those working in tandem with surgical specialists. The disparity in earnings among optometrists can largely be attributed to factors such as practice ownership equity, the collaborative model with ophthalmologists for surgical referrals, and specialty training in ocular diseases or VA pathways. For those looking to maximize their salary in Tucson, pursuing additional qualifications, such as residency training or certifications in new treatment modalities, can significantly enhance their marketability. In an evolving landscape shaped by both retail chains and private equity acquisitions, optometrists are increasingly finding opportunities that align with their professional aspirations.
More salary data for Tucson, 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 $157,650 for optometristsin the Tucson 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
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