Optometrist Salary in Boise City, ID: $106,965 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Boise City, ID earns a median $106,965/year (≈ $51.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Boise City's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.4), that paycheck buys what $108,714 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 20.2% below the Idaho state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Optometrists in Boise City, ID, can expect a median annual salary of $106,965 in 2026, reflecting a considerable difference from the national average of $140,612. The salary range for optometrists in this region extends from $63,835 at the 10th percentile to $195,181 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected for 2026, highlights the structural choices within the local job market, including practice ownership, hospital employment, and retail chain positions. Given the balance between private practices and larger optical retailers, optometrists must navigate varied earning potentials influenced by their work settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,835 | $30.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,305 | $36.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,965 | $51.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $172,056 | $82.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $195,181 | $93.84 |
Median Salary Position
23.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boise City
In Boise City, ID, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $131,346 (2026 est.). At $106,965, the local median is 23.93% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Boise City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Boise City Optometrist Pay Compares
Boise City median: $106,965/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boise City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $134,042 | -20.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -23.93% less |
Optometrists in Boise City, ID earn a median of $106,965 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.93% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 20.20% below the Idaho state average of $134,042.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boise City has a cost of living 1.61% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boise City, ID has a cost-of-living index of 98.391 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $106,965 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,714 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.64% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,480
2025 BLS Actual
$103,890
2026 Current Est.
$106,965
2019–2027 Growth
+-3.8%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Boise City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,480 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,490 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,307 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,965 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,131 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boise City metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew -9.3% from $114,480 (2019) to $103,890 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,131 by 2027 — a total increase of $-4,349 (-3.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boise City 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) | $63,835 – $75,305 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,305 – $106,965 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,965 – $172,056 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $172,056 – $195,181 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Boise City
In assessing the local job market, there are currently 60 optometrists employed in Boise City, suggesting a stable demand for eye care professionals. The cost of living index in the area stands at 98.391, which is slightly below the national average, allowing for reasonable purchasing power relative to local salaries. Among employers, private optometry practices tend to offer higher compensation, especially those with a vision insurance partnership or those that integrate ophthalmology services. The disparity in salaries arises from factors such as practice ownership equity, training specialization, and the evolving dynamics of retail versus private practice environments. To maximize optometrist pay in Boise City, professionals should consider opportunities for ownership, pursue residency training in ocular disease, and navigate potential partnerships with larger healthcare systems.
More salary data for Boise City, ID:
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 $103,890 for optometristsin the Boise City 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, 6-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