Optometrist Salary in North Little Rock, AR: $116,007 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in North Little Rock, AR earns a median $116,007/year (≈ $55.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in North Little Rock's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $133,495 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In North Little Rock, Arkansas, the projected median annual salary for optometrists in 2026 reaches $116,007. This figure reflects the competitive landscape, particularly with OD/MD models that enhance revenue through surgical co-management opportunities. The local salary range for optometrists spans from $67,284 at the 10th percentile to $175,646 at the 90th percentile, showing significant earnings potential based on experience and practice setting. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, indicate a market where optometrists can expect substantial compensation despite state averages. The job market, consisting of about 15 optometrists in North Little Rock, supports a healthy environment for eye care professionals.
About the North Little Rock Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,284 | $32.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,802 | $45.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $116,007 | $55.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $143,115 | $68.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $175,646 | $84.45 |
Median Salary Position
17.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Little Rock
In North Little Rock, AR, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,362 (2026 est.). At $116,007, the local median is 17.5% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in North Little Rock: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How North Little Rock Optometrist Pay Compares
North Little Rock median: $116,007/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | North Little Rock Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $122,241 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -17.50% less |
Optometrists in North Little Rock, AR earn a median of $116,007 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.50% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 5.10% below the Arkansas state average of $122,241.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
North Little Rock 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.
North Little Rock, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $116,007 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $133,495 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,083
2025 BLS Actual
$112,672
2026 Current Est.
$116,007
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in North Little Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,083 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,393 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,549 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,613 | Actual |
| 2023 | $108,786 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,475 | Actual |
| 2025 | $112,672 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,007 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $119,441 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Little Rock metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $95,083 (2019) to $112,672 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $119,441 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,358 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North 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) | $67,284 – $93,802 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,802 – $116,007 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $116,007 – $143,115 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $143,115 – $175,646 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in North Little Rock
Operating in a city with a cost-of-living index of 86.9 offers key advantages in terms of purchasing power, despite the optometrist salary in North Little Rock being about 17.50% lower than the national average of $140,612. Employers that typically offer higher salaries include ophthalmology practices utilizing the OD/MD model. Other significant payers in the area include private optometry practices, retail optical chains, and VA medical centers. Factors impacting the range of optometrist pay in North Little Rock include practice ownership, the opportunity for surgical referral revenue, and residency training in ocular disease or specialty practices. New grads might find lucrative opportunities by seeking employment at established clinics or practices with robust patient bases. Developing skills in advanced scopes of practice, such as glaucoma management and laser procedures, also adds value and provides ways to maximize overall compensation in this market.
More salary data for North 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 $112,672 for optometristsin the North 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
Salary data for North Little Rock 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