Optometrist Salary in Atlanta, GA: $132,643 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Atlanta, GA earns a median $132,643/year (≈ $63.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Atlanta's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.1), that paycheck buys what $132,566 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Atlanta, the optometrist salary is projected to reach a median of $132,643 in 2026, revealing a competitive compensation framework when compared to the national benchmark of $140,612. This city presents a salary range for optometrists between $52,540 (P10) and $195,222 (P90), driven largely by different employment settings such as practice ownership, employed associate models, and retail chains. As the optometry landscape shifts, many ODs find opportunities both in private practices and retail chains, yet the nuances of practice ownership often lead to higher earnings. The salary figures presented here stem from data based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlighting Atlanta’s evolving competitive market for eye care professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,540 | $25.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,520 | $48.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,643 | $63.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,095 | $79.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $195,222 | $93.86 |
Median Salary Position
5.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Atlanta
In Atlanta, GA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $142,682 (2026 est.). At $132,643, the local median is 5.67% below the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Atlanta: You'd be above the median
How Atlanta Optometrist Pay Compares
Atlanta median: $132,643/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Atlanta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $134,254 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -5.67% less |
Optometrists in Atlanta, GA earn a median of $132,643 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.67% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.20% below the Georgia state average of $134,254.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Atlanta has a cost of living 0.06% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Atlanta, GA has a cost-of-living index of 100.058 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $132,643 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $132,566 — a 0.06% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,120
2025 BLS Actual
$128,830
2026 Current Est.
$132,643
2019–2027 Growth
+31.2%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Atlanta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,010 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,010 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,550 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,830 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,643 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,570 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Atlanta metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 23.7% from $104,120 (2019) to $128,830 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,570 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,450 (31.17%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Atlanta 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) | $52,540 – $100,520 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,520 – $132,643 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,643 – $166,095 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,095 – $195,222 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Atlanta
Within Atlanta's job market, approximately 450 optometrists are currently employed, reflecting steady demand in the field. The cost of living index stands slightly above the national average at 100.058, which impacts take-home pay regarding purchasing power. Among potential employers, private optometry practices and ophthalmology clinics tend to offer more lucrative salaries compared to retail optical chains. Factors influencing salary disparities include practice ownership equity and employment terms tied to private equity acquisitions of previously independent practices. Additionally, those with residency training in ocular disease often secure higher compensation. For those aiming to maximize their earnings in Atlanta, targeting positions at well-paying ophthalmology practices or pursuing practice ownership can be effective strategies in a city where optometrist pay reflects the broader economic landscape.
More salary data for Atlanta, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $128,830 for optometristsin the Atlanta 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