Optometrist Salary in Texarkana, AR: $117,535 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Texarkana, AR earns a median $117,535/year (≈ $56.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Texarkana's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $135,253 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for optometrists in Texarkana, Arkansas, is set at $117,535, reflecting local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments. This salary range spans from $70,095 at the 10th percentile to $169,920 at the 90th percentile. Understanding the local market structure is crucial, as career paths for optometrists can diverge significantly in Texarkana, depending on whether they choose to own a practice, work as employed associates, or join retail chains. With varying salary potential linked to ownership equity in private practices versus the stability offered by retail chains, the employment model chosen can have lasting impacts on earnings and job satisfaction in this specific market.
About the Texarkana Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,095 | $33.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,413 | $46.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $117,535 | $56.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $141,163 | $67.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $169,920 | $81.69 |
Median Salary Position
16.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Texarkana
In Texarkana, AR, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $99,825 (2026 est.). At $117,535, the local median is 16.41% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Texarkana: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Texarkana Optometrist Pay Compares
Texarkana median: $117,535/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Texarkana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $122,178 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -16.41% less |
Optometrists in Texarkana, AR earn a median of $117,535 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.41% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.80% below the Arkansas state average of $122,178.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Texarkana 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.
Texarkana, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $117,535 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $135,253 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$96,335
2025 BLS Actual
$114,156
2026 Current Est.
$117,535
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Texarkana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,335 | Actual |
| 2020 | $98,676 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,900 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,978 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,219 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,127 | Actual |
| 2025 | $114,156 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $117,535 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,014 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Texarkana metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $96,335 (2019) to $114,156 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,014 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,679 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Texarkana 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) | $70,095 – $97,413 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,413 – $117,535 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $117,535 – $141,163 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $141,163 – $169,920 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Texarkana
The job market for optometrists in Texarkana is relatively tight, with only seven practitioners currently employed in the area. While the cost of living index stands at 86.9, which is below the national average, this favorable factor can enhance take-home pay, allowing for a better standard of living. Among different employers, private optometry practices tend to offer higher compensation, especially those that follow the OD/MD model and provide surgical referral revenue sharing. Factors such as practice ownership, which can drive pay upwards through equity stakes, and the growing preference for residency-trained optometrists further widen the compensation gap. For those exploring how to maximize pay in Texarkana, focusing on specialized training and maintaining strong patient relationships within a competitive environment can be beneficial strategies to enhance optometrist pay in Texarkana, AR.
More salary data for Texarkana, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Texarkana, AR in 2026?
Is Texarkana, AR a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Texarkana?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Texarkana?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Texarkana?
Related Pages
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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 $114,156 for optometristsin the Texarkana 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 Texarkana 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