Optometrist Salary in Urban Honolulu, HI: $145,966 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Urban Honolulu, HI earns a median $145,966/year (≈ $70.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Urban Honolulu's price level (11% above national, BEA RPP 111.0), that paycheck buys what $131,547 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.0% below the Hawaii state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Urban Honolulu, the projected optometrist salary for 2026 stands at $145,966, reflecting a solid advantage over the national median of $140,612. The salary range for optometrists in this region varies significantly, with the lowest ten percent earning approximately $110,260 and the highest ten percent making up to $211,470. This financial landscape, derived from the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlights the implications of employment settings. Optometrists can choose between private practice ownership, associate positions in established offices, or roles within retail chains. In this competitive market, those in private practice or operating under an OD/MD model, possibly sharing surgical revenues, often see substantial earnings, further enhancing the appeal of this career path in Urban Honolulu.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $110,260 | $53.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $124,561 | $59.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $145,966 | $70.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,775 | $80.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $211,470 | $101.67 |
Median Salary Position
3.81% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urban Honolulu
In Urban Honolulu, HI, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $101,210 (2026 est.). At $145,966, the local median is 3.81% above the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Urban Honolulu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Urban Honolulu Optometrist Pay Compares
Urban Honolulu median: $145,966/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urban Honolulu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $167,777 | -13.00% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +3.81% more |
Optometrists in Urban Honolulu, HI earn a median of $145,966 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.81% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 13.00% below the Hawaii state average of $167,777.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urban Honolulu has a cost of living 10.96% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Urban Honolulu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 110.961 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $145,966 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $131,547 — a 9.88% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,660
2025 BLS Actual
$141,770
2026 Current Est.
$145,966
2019–2027 Growth
+39.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Urban Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,660 | Actual |
| 2020 | $123,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $134,410 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,890 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,270 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,770 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $145,966 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $150,287 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urban Honolulu metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 31.7% from $107,660 (2019) to $141,770 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $150,287 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,627 (39.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urban Honolulu 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) | $110,260 – $124,561 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $124,561 – $145,966 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $145,966 – $166,775 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,775 – $211,470 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Urban Honolulu
Across Urban Honolulu, the local job market employs about 170 optometrists, a robust figure given the region's cost-of-living index of 110.961, which is notably higher than the national average. This cost-of-living reality can influence take-home pay and purchasing power significantly, making it essential for practitioners to consider the financial implications of their practice settings. Among potential employers, private optometry practices generally offer higher pay compared to retail optical chains, as they can benefit from diverse revenue streams, including specialized ocular disease management associated with residency training. In a city where the expanding scope of practice—such as glaucoma management and the administration of oral medications—adds value to optometrists, pursuing advanced training can lead to better compensation. Optometrists should thus evaluate their career approaches, considering factors such as employment type, practice ownership, and specialization when strategizing for maximum remuneration in Urban Honolulu HI.
More salary data for Urban Honolulu, HI:
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 $141,770 for optometristsin the Urban Honolulu 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