Optometrist Salary in Marshalltown, IA: $121,066 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Marshalltown, IA earns a median $121,066/year (≈ $58.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Marshalltown's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $133,923 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Marshalltown, Iowa, can expect a median annual salary of $121,066, which reflects a local market significantly lower than the national median of $140,612. The salary range for this profession extends from $70,252 at the 10th percentile to $172,431 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, taking into account regional price parities that affect purchasing power and operational costs. With only eight optometrists currently practicing in Marshalltown, the job market offers unique dynamics, particularly for those considering private practice ownership or employment with retail chains. As practices increasingly adjust to the evolving scope of optometric care, such as managing glaucoma and providing minor surgical services, the decisions made regarding practice structure can significantly influence potential earnings for optometrists in this region.
About the Marshalltown Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,252 | $33.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $96,209 | $46.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $121,066 | $58.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $144,190 | $69.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $172,431 | $82.90 |
Median Salary Position
13.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Marshalltown
In Marshalltown, IA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $102,179 (2026 est.). At $121,066, the local median is 13.9% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Marshalltown: You'd be above the median
How Marshalltown Optometrist Pay Compares
Marshalltown median: $121,066/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Marshalltown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $127,170 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -13.90% less |
Optometrists in Marshalltown, IA earn a median of $121,066 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.90% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.80% below the Iowa state average of $127,170.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Marshalltown 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.
Marshalltown, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $121,066 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $133,923 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,229
2025 BLS Actual
$117,585
2026 Current Est.
$121,066
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Marshalltown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,229 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,640 | Actual |
| 2021 | $107,021 | Actual |
| 2022 | $108,131 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,207 | Actual |
| 2025 | $117,585 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $121,066 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124,649 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Marshalltown metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $99,229 (2019) to $117,585 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $124,649 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,420 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marshalltown 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) | $70,252 – $96,209 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $96,209 – $121,066 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $121,066 – $144,190 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $144,190 – $172,431 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Marshalltown
Looking closer at the local job market, the current employment of eight optometrists indicates a compact yet potentially competitive landscape. With a cost-of-living index at 90.4, living expenses in Marshalltown are relatively low compared to the national average, which suggests that take-home pay may go further. Among the employers, private optometry practices, especially those adopting an OD/MD model, often pay more than retail chains like LensCrafters and Pearle Vision, offering lucrative opportunities through surgical referral partnerships. The disparity in earnings within the local optometry field stems from factors such as ownership stakes in practices, the nuances of contractual agreements following private equity acquisitions, and the advanced training many optometrists obtain through residencies. For those aiming to enhance their earnings, building a strong patient base and considering specialty training can be effective strategies in maximizing optometrist pay in Marshalltown, IA.
More salary data for Marshalltown, 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 $117,585 for optometristsin the Marshalltown 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 Marshalltown 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