Optometrist Salary in Ames, IA: $126,492 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Ames, IA earns a median $126,492/year (≈ $60.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Ames's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $139,925 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ames, Iowa, optometrists have a projected median salary of $126,492 for 2026, which reflects a market that operates slightly below the national average of $140,612. Salaries range from $73,365 at the low end to as high as $191,945 for experienced professionals, according to estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments. The employment structure in Ames includes a mix of practice ownership and employed associates, as well as positions within retail optical chains. Each of these structural choices can significantly influence earning potential, offering diverse opportunities for optometrists to select a pathway that aligns with their financial and professional goals in this local market.
About the Ames Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,365 | $35.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,714 | $46.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,492 | $60.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $156,305 | $75.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $191,945 | $92.28 |
Median Salary Position
10.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ames
In Ames, IA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $118,580 (2026 est.). At $126,492, the local median is 10.04% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ames: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ames Optometrist Pay Compares
Ames median: $126,492/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ames Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $127,127 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -10.04% less |
Optometrists in Ames, IA earn a median of $126,492 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.04% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.50% below the Iowa state average of $127,127.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ames has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ames, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $126,492 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,925 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$103,676
2025 BLS Actual
$122,855
2026 Current Est.
$126,492
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Ames (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,676 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,195 | Actual |
| 2021 | $111,817 | Actual |
| 2022 | $112,978 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,618 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,146 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,855 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,492 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,236 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ames metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $103,676 (2019) to $122,855 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,236 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,560 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ames 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) | $73,365 – $97,714 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,714 – $126,492 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,492 – $156,305 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $156,305 – $191,945 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Ames
The job market for optometrists in Ames employs about a dozen practitioners, indicating a relatively stable demand for eye care professionals in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 90.4, the purchasing power of earnings is somewhat favorable compared to many urban centers, allowing for better quality of life on a moderate salary. Private optometry practices and ophthalmology settings often provide higher compensation compared to retail chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision, especially for those with additional residency training in ocular disease. Variations in optometrist pay in Ames are influenced by factors such as practice ownership equity, the collaborative OD/MD model, and the employment terms that may accompany acquisitions by private equity firms. To maximize earnings, aspiring optometrists should consider pursuing residency training, fostering strong relationships with local practices, and remaining adaptable to the changing landscape of optometry in Ames.
More salary data for Ames, IA:
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 $122,855 for optometristsin the Ames 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 Ames 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