Optometrist Salary in Bettendorf, IA: $121,440 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Bettendorf, IA earns a median $121,440/year (≈ $58.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Bettendorf's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $134,336 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Bettendorf, Iowa, can expect a median annual salary of $121,440 in 2026, reflecting the local market's framework in eye care. With a salary range spanning from $71,078 at the 10th percentile to $177,979 at the 90th percentile, there is considerable variation in compensation. These figures, derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, highlight the competitive stance of Bettendorf's optometrist salary when compared to the national median of $140,612, which indicates a notable difference of approximately 13.63%, positioning the local salary below the national average. The expanded scope of practice in Iowa, which includes glaucoma management, oral medications, and some laser procedures, can play a significant role in influencing compensation and job opportunities in this city.
About the Bettendorf Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,078 | $34.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,655 | $47.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $121,440 | $58.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $147,691 | $71.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $177,979 | $85.57 |
Median Salary Position
13.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bettendorf
In Bettendorf, IA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $106,901 (2026 est.). At $121,440, the local median is 13.63% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bettendorf: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bettendorf Optometrist Pay Compares
Bettendorf median: $121,440/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bettendorf Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $127,163 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -13.63% less |
Optometrists in Bettendorf, IA earn a median of $121,440 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.63% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $127,163.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bettendorf 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.
Bettendorf, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $121,440 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,336 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,536
2025 BLS Actual
$117,949
2026 Current Est.
$121,440
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Bettendorf (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,536 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,954 | Actual |
| 2021 | $107,352 | Actual |
| 2022 | $108,466 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,881 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,548 | Actual |
| 2025 | $117,949 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $121,440 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $125,035 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bettendorf metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $99,536 (2019) to $117,949 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $125,035 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,499 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bettendorf 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) | $71,078 – $99,655 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,655 – $121,440 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $121,440 – $147,691 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $147,691 – $177,979 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Bettendorf
The job market in Bettendorf currently employs 10 optometrists, and the cost of living index stands at 90.4, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than national averages, the purchasing power for residents is optimized. Employers in the area range from independent optometry practices to larger retail optical chains like Walmart Vision and Pearle Vision. Typically, private practices may offer more competitive pay due to the opportunity for practice ownership equity and the potential for higher earnings through eye care-related surgical referrals alongside ophthalmologists. To maximize pay, prospective optometrists should consider pursuing residency training, as this can significantly influence compensation, particularly in markets like Bettendorf, where the demand for specialized services such as ocular disease management is growing. Understanding local dynamics can provide a distinct advantage in securing higher salary offers and advancing one’s career in optometry.
More salary data for Bettendorf, 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 $117,949 for optometristsin the Bettendorf 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 Bettendorf 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