Optometrist Salary

Optometrist Salary in Brookhaven, GA: $134,241 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Brookhaven, GA earns a median $134,241/year (≈ $64.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Brookhaven's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $144,190 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Georgia state average.

$134,241
Median Annual Salary
$64.54/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$77,860
Entry Level (P10)
$204,586
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Optometrist Salary in Brookhaven, GA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Brookhaven, GA optometrist salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, the projected optometrist salary in Brookhaven, Georgia is estimated at $134,241, which reflects a competitive compensation potential, although it's slightly below the national median of $140,612. The salary range for optometrists in Brookhaven spans from $77,860 at the 10th percentile to $204,586 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse earnings spectrum influenced by factors such as experience, practice type, and specialization. This data emerges from BLS estimates based on 2025 information, adjusted for local economic conditions and cost of living. Given Georgia's expanding scope of practice for optometrists—including the ability to manage glaucoma, prescribe oral medications, and perform certain laser procedures—this landscape not only enhances the quality of care available but also positions optometrists favorably in the job market of Brookhaven.

About the Brookhaven Market

Salary estimated from Georgia average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$77,860$37.44
Lower Range (P25)$104,487$50.23
Median (P50)(typical)$134,241$64.54
Upper Range (P75)$158,663$76.28
Top Earners (P90)$204,586$98.36

Median Salary Position

$77,860$204,586
City Median: $134,241
National: $140,612
P10–P90 Range

4.53% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brookhaven

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for optometrists in Brookhaven. The median salary is $134,241, compared to the national median of $140,612.$70.1K$106.3K$142.4K$178.6K$214.8K$77.9K10th Pctl$104.5K25th Pctl$134.2KMedian$158.7K75th Pctl$204.6K90th PctlUS Median$140.6K

In Brookhaven, GA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $126,726 (2026 est.). At $134,241, the local median is 4.53% below the national median of $140,612.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of optometrist pay in the Brookhaven metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$2,581
per week
$11,186
per month
$134,233
per year

At 40 hours/week in Brookhaven: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Brookhaven Optometrist Pay Compares

Brookhaven median: $134,241/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryBrookhaven Pays
National Average$140,612-4.53% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing optometrist median salary in Brookhaven ($134,241) and the US national median ($140,612).Brookhaven$134,241US National$140,612-4.53%

Optometrists in Brookhaven, GA earn a median of $134,241 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.53% lower than the national median of $140,612.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$134,241
Nominal Salary
93.1
CoL Index
$144,190
Adjusted Salary

Brookhaven has a cost of living 6.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $134,241. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 93.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $144,190, a gain of $9,949.$114.1K$127.0K$140.0K$152.9K$165.8K$134,241NominalSalary$144,190CoL Adjusted(CoL: 93.1) 7.41%US Median $140.6K

Brookhaven, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $134,241 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,190 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$110,028

2025 BLS Actual

$130,382

2026 Current Est.

$134,241

2019–2027 Growth

+25.6%

Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Brookhaven (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for optometrists in Brookhaven. Baseline $110,028 in 2025, projected to $138,215 by 2027.$104.4K$114.3K$124.1K$134.0K$143.9K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$110.0K$112.7K$118.7K$119.9K$125.9K$121.0K$130.4K$134.2K$138.2K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$110,028Actual
2020$112,701Actual
2021$118,668Actual
2022$119,900Actual
2023$125,885Actual
2024$121,023Actual
2025$130,382Actual
2026(current)$134,241Estimated
2027$138,215Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brookhaven metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $110,028 (2019) to $130,382 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,215 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,187 (25.62%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookhaven metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$77,860$104,487
3-5 years (Mid Career)$104,487$134,241
5+ years (Experienced)$134,241$158,663
10+ years (Top Earner)$158,663$204,586

OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Optometrist Job Market in Brookhaven

A total of eight optometrists are currently employed in Brookhaven, demonstrating a small but stable job market. The cost-of-living index for the area is 93.1, indicating that living expenses are relatively lower than the national average, thereby positively impacting take-home pay. Among local employers, private optometry practices generally offer higher compensation compared to retail optical chains, driven by the potential for practice ownership and specialized care models. Factors contributing to pay differentials include the opportunity for residency-trained optometrists—which can command higher salaries—and the business models in place, such as those that involve surgical referral revenue sharing with ophthalmologists. To optimize pay in Brookhaven, optometrists may consider positioning themselves in higher-revenue care settings, investing in additional training or certifications, and exploring affiliations with practices that emphasize comprehensive ocular health management.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do optometrists make in Brookhaven, GA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median optometrist salary in Brookhaven is $134,241/year ($64.54/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.96% annual growth). Salaries range from $77,860 at entry level (10th percentile) to $204,586 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Brookhaven at 4.5% below the national median. Full-time optometrists typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Brookhaven, GA a good place to work as a optometrist?

Brookhaven optometrist salaries are 4.5% below the national average and 0.0% above the Georgia state average. The metro area employs approximately 8 optometrists. With a cost-of-living index of 93.1, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can optometrists make $100K in Brookhaven?

Yes — the median optometrist salary in Brookhaven is already $134,241, meaning more than half of optometrists here earn six figures. Top earners (90th percentile) make $204,586/year. Factors that push pay above $100K include years of experience, specialty certifications, and working at high-production practices or large organizations.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Brookhaven?

After adjusting for Brookhaven's cost-of-living index of 93.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $134,241 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $144,190 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 7.4% further in Brookhaven compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for optometrists seeking strong real wages.

How much does a optometrist make per hour in Brookhaven?

Optometrists in Brookhaven earn a median hourly rate of $64.54, which translates to approximately $134,241/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $37.44 for entry-level positions to $98.36 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem optometrists sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Georgia

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Rajiv Kumar, ODData verified by Sofia Martinez, OD

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 $130,382 for optometristsin the Brookhaven 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 Brookhaven is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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