Optometrist Salary in Des Moines, IA: $133,621 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Des Moines, IA earns a median $133,621/year (≈ $64.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.7), that paycheck buys what $145,714 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Des Moines, Iowa, the driving factors behind optometrist compensation reflect varied practice structures where choice between ownership, employment with private practices, or retail chain affiliation can significantly influence earnings. With a projected median salary of $133,621 for 2026, optometrists in this city engage in a competitive environment where remuneration ranges from $69,941 at the entry-level to $183,598 for experienced practitioners. These figures, sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS data and estimated for 2026, highlight a landscape where employment in private optometry practices may provide significant incentives, particularly for those who take on ownership stakes. Retail chains may offer more predictable work hours but typically present lower average pay, emphasizing the importance of aligning personal career objectives with payment structures in Des Moines.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,941 | $33.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,897 | $49.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,621 | $64.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $170,893 | $82.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $183,598 | $88.27 |
Median Salary Position
4.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
In Des Moines, IA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $113,657 (2026 est.). At $133,621, the local median is 4.97% below the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Des Moines: You'd be above the median
How Des Moines Optometrist Pay Compares
Des Moines median: $133,621/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $127,137 | +5.10% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -4.97% less |
Optometrists in Des Moines, IA earn a median of $133,621 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.97% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 5.10% above the Iowa state average of $127,137.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Moines has a cost of living 8.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Moines, IA has a cost-of-living index of 91.701 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $133,621 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $145,714 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,740
2025 BLS Actual
$129,780
2026 Current Est.
$133,621
2019–2027 Growth
+81.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,130 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $135,550 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,830 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,140 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,780 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,621 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,577 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 71.3% from $75,740 (2019) to $129,780 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,577 by 2027 — a total increase of $61,837 (81.64%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines 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) | $69,941 – $103,897 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,897 – $133,621 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,621 – $170,893 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $170,893 – $183,598 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Des Moines
The job market in Des Moines has a firm foundation, with 110 optometrists currently practicing in the area, benefiting from a relatively low cost-of-living index of 91.701 compared to the national average. This suggests that the purchasing power of salaries tends to be enhanced, making the city an attractive proposition for both new graduates and seasoned professionals. Among local employers, private practices often offer better compensation packages compared to retail optical chains, with factors contributing to wage disparities including ownership equity, practice models involving collaboration with ophthalmologists, and the impact of completed residencies in high-demand specialties. As optometrist pay in Des Moines continues to evolve, professionals should prioritize building robust referral relationships and consider pursuing advanced training in specialized areas, such as ocular disease management, to maximize their earning potential and career satisfaction.
More salary data for Des Moines, 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 $129,780 for optometristsin the Des Moines 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, 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