Optometrist Salary in Iowa: $125,280 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Iowa's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median optometrist pay sits at $125,280/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1041. Because Iowa sits at BEA RPP 90.4 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $138,584 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Des Moines ($129,780), Davenport ($128,890), West Des Moines ($128,103).
In Iowa, the average median salary for optometrists is projected to be $125,281 in 2026, which is approximately 10.9% lower than the national median of $140,612. Des Moines offers the highest salaries within the state at $133,621, while Cedar Rapids has the lowest at $105,905, creating a salary gap of $27,716. This difference can be attributed to the cost of living, demand for services, local patient demographics, and the presence of healthcare facilities in metropolitan areas. Iowa requires optometrists to hold a Doctor of Optometry degree and obtain state licensure, which entails passing national and state examinations. The scope of practice allows optometrists to provide comprehensive eye care, which has led to a steady demand in the state. With a projected job growth rate of 2.96%, positions for optometrists are expected to grow, supported by the increasing emphasis on vision health and preventive care. The total number of employed optometrists in Iowa stands at 396, with prominent cities like Davenport ($132,705), West Des Moines ($131,895), Dubuque ($128,626), and Sioux City ($128,032) also showing strong salary offerings, reflecting the varied demand and economic conditions across the state.
Iowa Optometrist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Iowa: $68,293 (lowest entry-level) to $195,037 (highest top earner)
Iowa vs National Average
Iowa optometrists earn 10.9% less than the national median ($-15,332/year difference).
Iowa Optometrist Salary Distribution (2026)
Optometrist salaries in Iowa range from $72,416 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $180,901 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $125,280. The Iowa median is $15,332 below the US national median of $140,612. The average hourly rate is $60.23/hr. Approximately 396 optometrists are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$134,345
2025 BLS Actual
$121,679
2026 Current Est.
$125,280
2019–2027 Growth
+-4.0%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Iowa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $134,345 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,867 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,146 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,284 | Actual |
| 2023 | $115,946 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,453 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,679 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,280 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $128,989 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew -9.4% from $134,345 (2019) to $121,679 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $128,989 by 2027 — a total increase of $-5,356 (-3.99%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Iowa
Lowest Paying Cities in Iowa
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $105,905 |
| Fort Dodge | $116,681 |
| Johnston | $117,981 |
| Ottumwa | $118,268 |
| Muscatine | $118,717 |
Best Value Cities for Optometrists in Iowa
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Iowa cities offer the most purchasing power for optometrists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport | $132,705 | 89.079 | $148,975 |
| West Des Moines | $131,895 | 90.4 | $145,902 |
| Des Moines | $133,621 | 91.701 | $145,714 |
| Dubuque | $128,626 | 90.4 | $142,285 |
| Sioux City | $128,032 | 90.4 | $141,628 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $72,416 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $125,280 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $180,901 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Iowa metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines | $133,621 |
| 2 | Davenport | $132,705 |
| 3 | West Des Moines | $131,895 |
| 4 | Dubuque | $128,626 |
| 5 | Sioux City | $128,032 |
| 6 | Iowa City | $126,603 |
| 7 | Ames | $126,492 |
| 8 | Cedar Falls | $125,928 |
| 9 | Marion | $124,991 |
| 10 | Waterloo | $123,713 |
| 11 | Ankeny | $123,531 |
| 12 | Council Bluffs | $122,756 |
| 13 | Burlington | $122,053 |
| 14 | Waukee | $121,613 |
| 15 | Urbandale | $121,451 |
| 16 | Bettendorf | $121,440 |
| 17 | Marshalltown | $121,066 |
| 18 | Coralville | $120,906 |
| 19 | Mason City | $120,346 |
| 20 | North Liberty | $119,873 |
| 21 | Clinton | $119,281 |
| 22 | Muscatine | $118,717 |
| 23 | Ottumwa | $118,268 |
| 24 | Johnston | $117,981 |
| 25 | Fort Dodge | $116,681 |
| 26 | Cedar Rapids | $105,905 |
More Iowa Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced optometrists.
Explore More Optometrist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Iowa in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for optometrists in Iowa?
How does Iowa optometrist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level optometrist salary in Iowa?
How many optometrists are employed in Iowa?
Which Iowa city offers the best value for optometrists?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 optometrist compensation across Iowa. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more optometristscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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