Optometrist Salary in Davenport, IA: $132,705 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Davenport, IA earns a median $132,705/year (≈ $63.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Davenport's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.1), that paycheck buys what $148,975 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source

With a projected median annual salary of $132,705 for optometrists in 2026, Davenport, Iowa offers competitive compensation compared to the national average of $140,612. The local salary range reflects significant variability, with earnings spanning from $68,293 at the 10th percentile to $190,301 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected forward, highlight a market where the influence of surgical co-management revenue in OD/MD models can significantly bolster income potential. As the demand for optometry services continues to grow, Davenport's landscape is becoming increasingly attractive for those considering a career in this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,293 | $32.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,278 | $42.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,705 | $63.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $160,576 | $77.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $190,301 | $91.49 |
Median Salary Position
5.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Davenport
In Davenport, IA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $122,008 (2026 est.). At $132,705, the local median is 5.62% below the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Davenport: You'd be above the median
How Davenport Optometrist Pay Compares
Davenport median: $132,705/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Davenport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $127,112 | +4.40% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -5.62% less |
Optometrists in Davenport, IA earn a median of $132,705 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.62% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.40% above the Iowa state average of $127,112.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Davenport has a cost of living 10.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Davenport, IA has a cost-of-living index of 89.079 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $132,705 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $148,975 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.26% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$108,769
2025 BLS Actual
$128,890
2026 Current Est.
$132,705
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Davenport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,769 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,250 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,680 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,910 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,705 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,633 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Davenport metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $108,769 (2019) to $128,890 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,633 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,864 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Davenport 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) | $68,293 – $88,278 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,278 – $132,705 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,705 – $160,576 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $160,576 – $190,301 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Davenport
The local job market is home to around 40 optometrists, a number that supports both competition and collaboration in the delivery of eye care. With a cost-of-living index of 89.079, living expenses in Davenport are below the national average, enhancing the effective purchasing power for optometrists working here. Employers that typically offer higher compensation include private optometry practices engaging in surgical co-management, as well as ophthalmology groups that leverage referrals for surgical procedures. The variability in salaries stems from factors such as practice ownership, experience in specific residencies, and the transitioning landscape influenced by private equity acquisitions of practices. For those seeking to maximize optometrist pay in Davenport, pursuing additional training in ocular disease and considering positions that blend both optometry and surgical roles can provide a lucrative path forward.
More salary data for Davenport, 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 $128,890 for optometristsin the Davenport 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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