Optometrist Salary in Little Rock, AR: $117,745 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Little Rock, AR earns a median $117,745/year (≈ $56.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Little Rock's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.4), that paycheck buys what $131,759 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% below the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Little Rock, Arkansas, can expect a median annual salary of $117,745, which reflects the ongoing shift in practice ownership and employment structures in the region. As optometrists weigh options between independent practices, employed positions, and retail chain work, their compensation can vary significantly. The projected salary range spans from $70,806 at the 10th percentile to $179,058 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the diverse earning potential within the market. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, offering a snapshot of the local salary dynamics against the national landscape, where optometrists earn a median of $140,612 annually.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,806 | $34.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,656 | $39.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $117,745 | $56.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $131,984 | $63.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $179,058 | $86.08 |
Median Salary Position
16.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Little Rock
In Little Rock, AR, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,252 (2026 est.). At $117,745, the local median is 16.26% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Little Rock: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Little Rock Optometrist Pay Compares
Little Rock median: $117,745/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Little Rock Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $122,142 | -3.60% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -16.26% less |
Optometrists in Little Rock, AR earn a median of $117,745 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.26% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.60% below the Arkansas state average of $122,142.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Little Rock has a cost of living 10.64% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Little Rock, AR has a cost-of-living index of 89.364 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $117,745 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $131,759 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.9% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,940
2025 BLS Actual
$114,360
2026 Current Est.
$117,745
2019–2027 Growth
+64.0%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Little Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,940 | Actual |
| 2020 | $143,870 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,450 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,450 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $114,360 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $117,745 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,230 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Little Rock metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 54.7% from $73,940 (2019) to $114,360 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,230 by 2027 — a total increase of $47,290 (63.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Little Rock 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) | $70,806 – $82,656 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,656 – $117,745 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $117,745 – $131,984 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $131,984 – $179,058 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Little Rock
The local job market in Little Rock employs approximately 70 optometrists, a stable number that supports competition and varied employment opportunities. With a cost of living index of 89.364, optometrists in this area enjoy a relatively affordable lifestyle, which can amplify their take-home income compared to higher-cost regions. Among local employers, private optometry practices typically offer higher salaries, especially for those with partnerships or ownership stakes that enhance revenue potential. Factors such as practice ownership equity, residency training in ocular disease, and the shift toward integrated ophthalmology models can drive the pay gap. Aspiring optometrists should consider specializing in high-demand areas like glaucoma management or oral medications to maximize their earnings. Additionally, pursuing roles in private practices or engaging in residency programs can lead to more lucrative opportunities in the long run.
More salary data for Little Rock, 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 $114,360 for optometristsin the Little Rock 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