Optometrist Salary in Bryant, AR: $115,462 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Bryant, AR earns a median $115,462/year (≈ $55.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Bryant's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $132,868 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Bryant, Arkansas, can anticipate a median annual salary of $115,462 according to projections for 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $140,612. Salaries in this local market range from $66,968 at the lower end (P10) to $157,472 at the high end (P90). These figures are reflective of local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations. The employment landscape, with only four optometrists currently in the area, suggests a small but possibly competitive job market. Many optometrists in Bryant may choose between private ownership, working as employed associates, or joining retail chains, each having a distinct impact on potential earnings and available benefits.
About the Bryant Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,968 | $32.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,008 | $44.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $115,462 | $55.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $134,117 | $64.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $157,472 | $75.71 |
Median Salary Position
17.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bryant
In Bryant, AR, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $90,504 (2026 est.). At $115,462, the local median is 17.89% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bryant: You'd be above the median
How Bryant Optometrist Pay Compares
Bryant median: $115,462/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bryant Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $122,182 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -17.89% less |
Optometrists in Bryant, AR earn a median of $115,462 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.89% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 5.50% below the Arkansas state average of $122,182.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bryant has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bryant, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $115,462 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $132,868 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.08% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$94,636
2025 BLS Actual
$112,143
2026 Current Est.
$115,462
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Bryant (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,636 | Actual |
| 2020 | $96,935 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,068 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,127 | Actual |
| 2023 | $108,275 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,431 | Actual |
| 2025 | $112,143 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $115,462 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $118,880 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bryant metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $94,636 (2019) to $112,143 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $118,880 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,244 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bryant 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) | $66,968 – $92,008 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,008 – $115,462 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $115,462 – $134,117 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $134,117 – $157,472 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Bryant
In terms of local job market dynamics, Bryant's cost of living index of 86.9 indicates that while salaries may be lower relative to national averages, purchasing power remains reasonably strong. Employers that tend to offer higher salaries include private optometry practices and larger retail chains, while ophthalmology practices can provide more lucrative opportunities through an OD/MD model, sharing revenue from surgical referrals. The variations in pay can often be attributed to factors such as practice ownership equity, residency training (particularly in ocular disease), and the evolving landscape of patient care responsibilities. For those seeking to maximize their optometrist pay in Bryant AR, pursuing additional qualifications or considering roles in private optometry practices could be beneficial, as these factors can significantly influence compensation within the community.
More salary data for Bryant, AR:
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 $112,143 for optometristsin the Bryant 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 Bryant 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