Optometrist Salary in Paragould, AR: $119,366 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Paragould, AR earns a median $119,366/year (≈ $57.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Paragould's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $137,360 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Paragould, Arkansas, the compensation landscape for optometrists is shaped significantly by the choice between private practice ownership, associate roles, and employment with retail optical chains. The projected median annual salary stands at $119,366 for 2026, with salaries ranging from $69,232 at the lower end to $176,142 at the high end. These figures are derived from insights based on 2025 BLS data, reflecting regional price adjustments which account for the local cost of living. Compared to the national average, the optometrist salary in Paragould falls behind the national median of $140,612, indicating important market factors and employment conditions that influence local compensation.
About the Paragould Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,232 | $33.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,522 | $47.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $119,366 | $57.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $145,540 | $69.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $176,142 | $84.68 |
Median Salary Position
15.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Paragould
In Paragould, AR, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $106,910 (2026 est.). At $119,366, the local median is 15.11% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Paragould: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Paragould Optometrist Pay Compares
Paragould median: $119,366/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Paragould Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $122,176 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -15.11% less |
Optometrists in Paragould, AR earn a median of $119,366 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.11% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.30% below the Arkansas state average of $122,176.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Paragould 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.
Paragould, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $119,366 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,360 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$97,835
2025 BLS Actual
$115,934
2026 Current Est.
$119,366
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Paragould (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,835 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,212 | Actual |
| 2021 | $105,518 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,613 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,936 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,623 | Actual |
| 2025 | $115,934 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,366 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $122,899 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Paragould metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $97,835 (2019) to $115,934 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $122,899 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,064 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Paragould 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) | $69,232 – $98,522 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,522 – $119,366 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $119,366 – $145,540 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $145,540 – $176,142 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Paragould
The optometrist pay in Paragould AR is influenced by various local market dynamics, including a modest workforce of only seven optometrists. This relatively small job pool suggests a tighter market where employment opportunities depend on the type of practice. The area's cost of living index stands at 86.9, which is below the national average; this can enhance take-home purchasing power for optometrists earning competitive salaries. Among different employers, private optometry practices generally offer higher compensation compared to retail chains like Walmart Vision or Visionworks. Factors such as practice ownership equity and the structure of OD/MD collaborations with ophthalmologists contribute to the noticeable variance in earnings. Optometrists looking to maximize their salary in this market may consider pursuing residency training or exploring entrepreneurial ventures, as these paths typically offer enhanced earning potential and greater professional autonomy in managing eye care services.
More salary data for Paragould, 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 $115,934 for optometristsin the Paragould 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 Paragould 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