Optometrist Salary in Franklin, IN: $136,471 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Franklin, IN earns a median $136,471/year (≈ $65.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Franklin's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $149,475 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Franklin, Indiana, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $136,471. This figure presents a competitive option for professionals in the field, especially when considering the full salary range that extends from $79,154 at the 10th percentile to $194,332 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities, reveal that practitioners can potentially command higher wages in this market, contingent on factors such as their scope of practice. With an expanded license that permits the management of glaucoma and the prescription of oral medications, optometrists in Franklin enjoy a landscape that can foster higher compensation, especially those who pursue surgical and advanced care models.
About the Franklin Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,154 | $38.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,425 | $52.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,471 | $65.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $162,513 | $78.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $194,332 | $93.43 |
Median Salary Position
2.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Franklin
In Franklin, IN, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $115,178 (2026 est.). At $136,471, the local median is 2.94% below the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Franklin: You'd be above the median
How Franklin Optometrist Pay Compares
Franklin median: $136,471/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Franklin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $138,832 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -2.94% less |
Optometrists in Franklin, IN earn a median of $136,471 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.94% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.70% below the Indiana state average of $138,832.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Franklin has a cost of living 8.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Franklin, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $136,471 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $149,475 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,856
2025 BLS Actual
$132,548
2026 Current Est.
$136,471
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Franklin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,856 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,573 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,639 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,891 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,977 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,681 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,548 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,471 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,511 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Franklin metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $111,856 (2019) to $132,548 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,511 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,655 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Franklin 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) | $79,154 – $108,425 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,425 – $136,471 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,471 – $162,513 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $162,513 – $194,332 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Franklin
In terms of local employment dynamics, there are currently six optometrists practicing in Franklin, suggesting a compact but established market. The cost of living index in the area stands at 91.3, indicating that living expenses are below the national average, which could enhance the take-home purchasing power of optometrists. Practices that typically offer the highest salaries include ophthalmology clinics that follow an OD/MD model, as well as select private optometry practices that retain their independence from larger retail chains. Factors driving the pay disparity include practice ownership equity, differences in operational models, and the influence of post-acquisition employment structures set by private equity firms now owning former private practices. For those looking to maximize their earning potential in Franklin, joining an established practice or seeking opportunities in a growing OD/MD setting may yield the best financial rewards, particularly for those holding residency training in ocular disease.
More salary data for Franklin, IN:
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 $132,548 for optometristsin the Franklin 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 Franklin 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