Optometrist Salary in Mountain Home, ID: $126,351 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Mountain Home, ID earns a median $126,351/year (≈ $60.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Mountain Home's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.3), that paycheck buys what $132,582 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the Idaho state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Mountain Home, ID, optometrists are projected to earn a median annual salary of $126,351 in 2026, which is approximately 10.14% lower than the national median of $140,612. The salary range for this occupation in the area varies significantly, spanning from $73,284 at the 10th percentile to $179,734 at the 90th percentile. These figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors such as the relatively low cost of living index of 95.3. With the scope of practice in Idaho allowing for advanced responsibilities like glaucoma management, oral medications, and select laser procedures, there’s potential for competitive compensation that hinges on the practice model employed, whether in private clinics or larger health systems.
About the Mountain Home Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,284 | $35.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,167 | $52.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,351 | $60.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $151,069 | $72.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $179,734 | $86.41 |
Median Salary Position
10.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mountain Home
In Mountain Home, ID, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $106,450 (2026 est.). At $126,351, the local median is 10.14% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mountain Home: You'd be above the median
How Mountain Home Optometrist Pay Compares
Mountain Home median: $126,351/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mountain Home Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $133,989 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -10.14% less |
Optometrists in Mountain Home, ID earn a median of $126,351 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.14% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 5.70% below the Idaho state average of $133,989.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mountain Home has a cost of living 4.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Mountain Home, ID has a cost-of-living index of 95.3 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $126,351 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $132,582 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$103,561
2025 BLS Actual
$122,719
2026 Current Est.
$126,351
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Mountain Home (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,561 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,077 | Actual |
| 2021 | $111,693 | Actual |
| 2022 | $112,853 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,487 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,815 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,719 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,351 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,091 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mountain Home metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $103,561 (2019) to $122,719 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,091 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,530 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mountain Home 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) | $73,284 – $108,167 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,167 – $126,351 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,351 – $151,069 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $151,069 – $179,734 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Mountain Home
The optometry job market in Mountain Home currently employs four optometrists, indicative of a small yet stable presence in the area. Given the cost of living, this region offers a unique purchasing power dynamic for optometrists. Employers that typically offer higher salaries include private optometry practices, especially those that engage in the OD/MD model, as they benefit from revenue sharing through surgical referrals. Conversely, retail optical chains may struggle to offer comparable pay due to their more standardized compensation structures. Variability in salaries can be influenced by factors such as ownership stake in the practice, the presence of residency training, and the increasing role of private equity in local practices. For new optometrists determining how much do optometrists make in Mountain Home, focusing on joining private practices or seeking advanced training opportunities can maximize earning potential within this market.
More salary data for Mountain Home, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Mountain Home?
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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 $122,719 for optometristsin the Mountain Home 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 Mountain Home 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