Optometrist Salary in Indianapolis, IN: $141,663 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Indianapolis, IN earns a median $141,663/year (≈ $68.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Indianapolis's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.7), that paycheck buys what $148,034 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% above the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median optometrist salary in Indianapolis is projected to reach $141,663, slightly above the national median of $140,612. This compensation reflects the growth potential and expanding scope of practice in Indiana, which now includes glaucoma management, oral medications, and certain laser procedures. The salary range for optometrists in the area is notably broad, spanning from $73,205 at the 10th percentile to $221,663 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variability based on experience, practice setting, and specialization. These figures are derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, illustrating a healthy job market for optometrists who are equipped to meet diverse patient needs in this growing field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,205 | $35.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,907 | $49.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $141,663 | $68.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $170,028 | $81.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $221,663 | $106.57 |
Median Salary Position
0.75% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Indianapolis
In Indianapolis, IN, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $148,458 (2026 est.). At $141,663, the local median is 0.75% above the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Indianapolis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Indianapolis Optometrist Pay Compares
Indianapolis median: $141,663/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Indianapolis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $138,885 | +2.00% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +0.75% more |
Optometrists in Indianapolis, IN earn a median of $141,663 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.75% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.00% above the Indiana state average of $138,885.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Indianapolis has a cost of living 4.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Indianapolis, IN has a cost-of-living index of 95.696 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $141,663 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $148,034 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.5% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,100
2025 BLS Actual
$137,590
2026 Current Est.
$141,663
2019–2027 Growth
+77.7%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Indianapolis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,100 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,380 | Actual |
| 2023 | $108,660 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $137,590 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,663 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,856 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Indianapolis metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 67.6% from $82,100 (2019) to $137,590 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,856 by 2027 — a total increase of $63,756 (77.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Indianapolis 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) | $73,205 – $103,907 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,907 – $141,663 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $141,663 – $170,028 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $170,028 – $221,663 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Indianapolis
Currently, Indianapolis employs around 340 optometrists, reflecting a stable market with ongoing demand for eye care professionals. The city's cost of living index, at 95.696, suggests that salaries can afford a reasonable standard of living compared to national averages, giving professionals more purchasing power. Among employers, private optometry practices often yield the highest salaries, especially for those who have practiced ownership or have partnerships in group settings. Retail optical chains generally provide lower salaries, influenced by a variety of factors including patient volume and service models. The disparity in compensation levels can be driven by ownership stakes, experience in specialty care, and the ability to draw income from surgical referrals in an OD/MD model. Optometrists aiming to maximize their earning potential should consider pursuing residency training in ocular disease, leveraging further specialization, and exploring ownership opportunities or partnerships within private practices in Indianapolis.
More salary data for Indianapolis, 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 $137,590 for optometristsin the Indianapolis 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