Optometrist Salary in Dubuque, IA: $128,626 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Dubuque, IA earns a median $128,626/year (≈ $61.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Dubuque's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $142,285 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Dubuque, Iowa, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $128,626, slightly below the national median of $140,612. This profession's salary range in the area extends from $74,603 at the 10th percentile to as high as $190,965 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations, reflecting the local economic conditions. Iowa's optometrists possess a broad scope of practice that includes glaucoma management and oral medications, which may influence local compensation. Given the dynamics of healthcare delivery in Dubuque, these factors will be pivotal in shaping salary trends and job opportunities for optometrists in the future.
About the Dubuque Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,603 | $35.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,981 | $49.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,626 | $61.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $156,707 | $75.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $190,965 | $91.81 |
Median Salary Position
8.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dubuque
In Dubuque, IA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $116,362 (2026 est.). At $128,626, the local median is 8.52% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dubuque: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dubuque Optometrist Pay Compares
Dubuque median: $128,626/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dubuque Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $127,101 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -8.52% less |
Optometrists in Dubuque, IA earn a median of $128,626 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.52% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.20% above the Iowa state average of $127,101.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dubuque 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.
Dubuque, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $128,626 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $142,285 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$105,425
2025 BLS Actual
$124,928
2026 Current Est.
$128,626
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Dubuque (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,425 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,987 | Actual |
| 2021 | $113,704 | Actual |
| 2022 | $114,884 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $117,089 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,928 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,626 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,433 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dubuque metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $105,425 (2019) to $124,928 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,433 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,008 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dubuque 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) | $74,603 – $101,981 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,981 – $128,626 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,626 – $156,707 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $156,707 – $190,965 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Dubuque
Examining Dubuque's local job market reveals that there are currently 12 optometrists employed in the area, signaling a stable yet competitive environment for this profession. With a cost of living index at 90.4, the purchasing power afforded by an optometrist's salary reflects a more favorable situation compared to many urban areas. Among local employers, private optometry practices typically offer more lucrative pay compared to retail optical chains like Walmart Vision or LensCrafters, primarily due to practice ownership equity and opportunities for surgical referral revenue. The wide salary spread within Dubuque can be attributed to various factors, including individual practice settings, ancillary services offered, and residency training in areas such as ocular disease. For emerging optometrists, seeking employment in private practices or pursuing additional specialization through residencies can significantly enhance earning potential in Dubuque, IA.
More salary data for Dubuque, 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 $124,928 for optometristsin the Dubuque 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 Dubuque 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