Optometrist Salary in Pine Bluff, AR: $119,271 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Pine Bluff, AR earns a median $119,271/year (≈ $57.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Pine Bluff's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $137,251 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With an expanding scope of practice that includes managing glaucoma, prescribing oral medications, and performing select laser procedures, optometrists in Pine Bluff, AR, can expect a median annual salary of $119,271 in 2026. This figure falls below the national average for optometrists, which is projected to be $140,612. The local salary range showcases variations, with entry-level positions starting around $69,177 and highly experienced optometrists earning up to $175,521 annually. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and take regional price adjustments into account, indicating that while compensation is competitive, it reflects the market realities specific to Pine Bluff’s healthcare environment.
About the Pine Bluff Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,177 | $33.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,713 | $45.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $119,271 | $57.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $145,402 | $69.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $175,521 | $84.39 |
Median Salary Position
15.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pine Bluff
In Pine Bluff, AR, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $106,344 (2026 est.). At $119,271, the local median is 15.18% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pine Bluff: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pine Bluff Optometrist Pay Compares
Pine Bluff median: $119,271/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pine Bluff Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $122,204 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -15.18% less |
Optometrists in Pine Bluff, AR earn a median of $119,271 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.18% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.40% below the Arkansas state average of $122,204.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pine Bluff 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.
Pine Bluff, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $119,271 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,251 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$97,758
2025 BLS Actual
$115,842
2026 Current Est.
$119,271
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Pine Bluff (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,758 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,133 | Actual |
| 2021 | $105,434 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,528 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,847 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,546 | Actual |
| 2025 | $115,842 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,271 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $122,801 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pine Bluff metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $97,758 (2019) to $115,842 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $122,801 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,043 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pine Bluff 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) | $69,177 – $93,713 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,713 – $119,271 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $119,271 – $145,402 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $145,402 – $175,521 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Pine Bluff
In terms of job availability, Pine Bluff currently employs eight optometrists, which suggests a concentrated market that may limit competition but also influences pay scales. The cost of living index for the area stands at 86.9, indicating lower living expenses compared to national averages, which enhances the purchasing power of earned salaries. Among local employers, private optometry practices, ophthalmology practices, and retail optical chains provide varying pay scales influenced by practice ownership stakes and business models. Generally, optometrists with residency training, especially those skilled in ocular disease management, can command higher salaries. To optimize earnings, practitioners are advised to consider affiliations with ophthalmology groups or engage in partnerships that offer shared revenue from surgical referrals, as these arrangements tend to yield greater financial rewards.
More salary data for Pine Bluff, 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 $115,842 for optometristsin the Pine Bluff 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 Pine Bluff 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