Optometrist Salary in Marion, IN: $134,166 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Marion, IN earns a median $134,166/year (≈ $64.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Marion's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $146,951 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Marion, Indiana, projections for 2026 indicate that optometrists will earn a median annual salary of $134,166, which is slightly below the national average of $140,612. Those entering the field can expect a salary range from $80,917 at the lower end (P10) to as much as $186,510 (P90) for the most experienced professionals. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variances. The local job market is shaped by a mix of private practices, retail chains, and coupled OD/MD roles. Each structural choice can significantly influence pay, particularly as an increasing number of practices are acquired by private equity firms, affecting both employment conditions and overall compensation.
About the Marion Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,917 | $38.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $111,968 | $53.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,166 | $64.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $156,902 | $75.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $186,510 | $89.67 |
Median Salary Position
4.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Marion
In Marion, IN, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $105,593 (2026 est.). At $134,166, the local median is 4.58% below the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Marion: You'd be above the median
How Marion Optometrist Pay Compares
Marion median: $134,166/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Marion Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $138,888 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -4.58% less |
Optometrists in Marion, IN earn a median of $134,166 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.58% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.40% below the Indiana state average of $138,888.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Marion 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.
Marion, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $134,166 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $146,951 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,966
2025 BLS Actual
$130,309
2026 Current Est.
$134,166
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Marion (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,966 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,638 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,602 | Actual |
| 2022 | $119,832 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,815 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,710 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,309 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,166 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,137 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Marion metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $109,966 (2019) to $130,309 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,137 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,171 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marion 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) | $80,917 – $111,968 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $111,968 – $134,166 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,166 – $156,902 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $156,902 – $186,510 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Marion
The job market for optometrists in Marion currently employs just five practitioners, reflecting a niche area with limited competition. The cost of living index stands at 91.3, suggesting that while salaries may trail national averages, the relative purchasing power could be more favorable. Among local employers, private optometry practices can offer high compensation, particularly those utilizing the OD/MD model with the potential for referral revenue from surgical cases. Conversely, retail chains such as LensCrafters or Pearle Vision may offer more standardized pay structures. The disparity in salaries often hinges on ownership stakes, specific training such as residency in ocular disease, and the structural dynamic between traditionally private and now private equity-owned practices. To maximize income in Marion, optometrists should consider investing in additional training, exploring practice ownership, or aligning with ophthalmology groups to leverage surgical opportunities.
More salary data for Marion, 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 $130,309 for optometristsin the Marion 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 Marion 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