Optometrist Salary in Terre Haute, IN: $140,198 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Terre Haute, IN earns a median $140,198/year (≈ $67.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Terre Haute's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $153,558 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Optometrists in Terre Haute, Indiana, can expect a median annual salary of $140,198 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $140,612. Salary ranges in this market vary widely, with entry-level positions earning around $81,315 at the lower end and experienced practitioners making up to $202,918. Factors contributing to these variations include employment structure; those in private ownership or ophthalmology practices generally have higher earning potential compared to those in retail optical chains. The salary projections reflect local estimates from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic conditions, providing a comprehensive view of what optometrists can anticipate in terms of compensation and opportunities within this market.
About the Terre Haute Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,315 | $39.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,819 | $53.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,198 | $67.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $170,414 | $81.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $202,918 | $97.55 |
Median Salary Position
0.29% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Terre Haute
In Terre Haute, IN, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,603 (2026 est.). At $140,198, the local median is 0.29% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Terre Haute: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Terre Haute Optometrist Pay Compares
Terre Haute median: $140,198/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Terre Haute Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $138,809 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -0.29% less |
Optometrists in Terre Haute, IN earn a median of $140,198 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.29% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.00% above the Indiana state average of $138,809.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Terre Haute 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.
Terre Haute, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $140,198 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $153,558 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,910
2025 BLS Actual
$136,167
2026 Current Est.
$140,198
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Terre Haute (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,702 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,933 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,219 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,471 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,867 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,167 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,198 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,347 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Terre Haute metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $114,910 (2019) to $136,167 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,347 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,437 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Terre Haute 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) | $81,315 – $110,819 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,819 – $140,198 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,198 – $170,414 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $170,414 – $202,918 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Terre Haute
The local job market in Terre Haute currently employs 13 optometrists, suggesting a stable but limited pool of positions available. With a cost-of-living index of 91.3, the purchasing power of optometrists in the region is favorable compared to the national average, making it easier to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. Among potential employers, independent practices and those associated with ophthalmology tend to offer more competitive salaries compared to retail chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision. The substantial pay difference is often influenced by practice ownership equity and the complexities of the OD/MD model, which allows for shared surgical revenue and enhanced patient care capabilities. For those looking to maximize their pay in Terre Haute, pursuing residency training, particularly in ocular disease, can prove advantageous, as can focusing on practice ownership or partnerships that offer more equitable compensation arrangements.
More salary data for Terre Haute, 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 $136,167 for optometristsin the Terre Haute 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 Terre Haute 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