Optometrist Salary in Macon, GA: $132,397 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Macon, GA earns a median $132,397/year (≈ $63.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Macon's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $142,209 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Georgia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, projected earnings for optometrists in Macon, GA, land at a median annual salary of $132,397. This figure, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, reflects local market conditions and regional cost adjustments. The compensation range for the profession spans from $76,791 at the 10th percentile to $197,167 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variation based on experience, practice settings, and specialization areas. Considering the expanding scope of practice for optometrists—including glaucoma care, oral medications, and certain laser procedures—Macon presents a competitive environment for practitioners. Although the salary ranks slightly lower than the national median of $140,612, the compensation reflects regional economic factors and market dynamics unique to this Southern city.
About the Macon Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,791 | $36.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,616 | $50.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,397 | $63.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,622 | $77.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $197,167 | $94.80 |
Median Salary Position
5.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Macon
In Macon, GA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $120,376 (2026 est.). At $132,397, the local median is 5.84% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Macon: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Macon Optometrist Pay Compares
Macon median: $132,397/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Macon Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $134,277 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -5.84% less |
Optometrists in Macon, GA earn a median of $132,397 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.84% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.40% below the Georgia state average of $134,277.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Macon 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.
Macon, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $132,397 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $142,209 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$108,517
2025 BLS Actual
$128,591
2026 Current Est.
$132,397
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Macon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,517 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,153 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,252 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,156 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,591 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,397 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,316 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Macon metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $108,517 (2019) to $128,591 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,316 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,799 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Macon 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) | $76,791 – $104,616 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,616 – $132,397 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,397 – $160,622 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,622 – $197,167 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Macon
With 30 optometrists currently employed in Macon, the local job market exhibits a steady demand for eye care professionals, suggesting job security and potential for growth. The cost of living in the area is measured at 93.1, which is below the national average. This lower cost can enhance the purchasing power of salaries, making it easier for optometrists to maintain a comfortable lifestyle despite slightly lower pay compared to national averages. In Macon, higher salaries can typically be found in private optometry practices, especially those integrating the OD/MD model that allows for surgical referrals. The variance in compensation can often be attributed to factors like practice ownership, residency training, and the shift towards private equity ownership of previously-independent practices. For optometrists looking to maximize their earnings in Macon, focusing on career advancement opportunities, pursuing specialized residencies, and considering joining ophthalmology practices or well-established private practices are effective strategies.
More salary data for Macon, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Macon?
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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 $128,591 for optometristsin the Macon 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 Macon 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