Optometrist Salary in Fayetteville, AR: $135,794 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Fayetteville, AR earns a median $135,794/year (≈ $65.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Fayetteville's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.4), that paycheck buys what $148,648 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.1% above the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Fayetteville, Arkansas, can expect a median salary of $135,794, reflecting the local scope of practice that includes managing glaucoma, prescribing oral medications, and performing certain laser procedures. The salary range for these professionals spans from $63,279 at the 10th percentile to $226,162 at the 90th percentile, creating a diverse compensation spectrum. Such figures stem from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, offering insight into how Fayetteville's optometrists are compensated compared to the national median of $140,612. The strong growth potential in this market, combined with evolving practice models, suggests a promising outlook for optometrists in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,279 | $30.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,170 | $48.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,794 | $65.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,529 | $79.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $226,162 | $108.74 |
Median Salary Position
3.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fayetteville
In Fayetteville, AR, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $162,883 (2026 est.). At $135,794, the local median is 3.43% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fayetteville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fayetteville Optometrist Pay Compares
Fayetteville median: $135,794/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fayetteville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $122,227 | +11.10% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -3.43% less |
Optometrists in Fayetteville, AR earn a median of $135,794 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.43% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 11.10% above the Arkansas state average of $122,227.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fayetteville has a cost of living 8.65% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fayetteville, AR has a cost-of-living index of 91.353 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $135,794 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $148,648 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.47% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,180
2025 BLS Actual
$131,890
2026 Current Est.
$135,794
2019–2027 Growth
+55.0%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,180 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,480 | Actual |
| 2022 | $111,400 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,794 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,813 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fayetteville metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 46.3% from $90,180 (2019) to $131,890 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,813 by 2027 — a total increase of $49,633 (55.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fayetteville 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) | $63,279 – $100,170 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,170 – $135,794 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,794 – $165,529 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,529 – $226,162 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Fayetteville
Fayetteville's local job market currently employs approximately 80 optometrists, demonstrating a solid demand for eye care providers in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 91.353, living expenses are significantly lower than the national average, which positively influences take-home purchasing power for optometrists. Private optometry practices and regional ophthalmology clinics are typically among the highest payers, especially for those with residency training in ocular disease or those engaging in the OD/MD collaborative care model. Factors such as private practice ownership, geographic location, and the evolving landscape post-acquisition by private equity firms all contribute to the wide salary distribution observed. To maximize compensation in Fayetteville, optometrists should consider advanced training, networking within the local medical community, and exploring ownership opportunities or partnerships that align with their professional goals.
More salary data for Fayetteville, 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 $131,890 for optometristsin the Fayetteville 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