Optometrist Salary in Waukee, IA: $121,613 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Waukee, IA earns a median $121,613/year (≈ $58.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Waukee's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $134,528 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waukee, IA, the projected median annual salary for optometrists in 2026 is $121,613, positioning the city's compensation framework notably lower than the national median of $140,612. The salary range spans from $70,536 at the 10th percentile to $164,929 at the 90th percentile, reflecting diverse career stages and practice settings. This compensation data is informed by 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost disparities, emphasizing how the scope of practice in Iowa—including the management of glaucoma, prescription of oral medications, and laser procedures—can influence earning potential. The current employment scenario includes only four optometrists in Waukee, suggesting a localized need for practitioners and potential gaps in services.
About the Waukee Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,536 | $33.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,800 | $47.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $121,613 | $58.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $140,413 | $67.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $164,929 | $79.29 |
Median Salary Position
13.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waukee
In Waukee, IA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $94,393 (2026 est.). At $121,613, the local median is 13.51% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waukee: You'd be above the median
How Waukee Optometrist Pay Compares
Waukee median: $121,613/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $127,078 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -13.51% less |
Optometrists in Waukee, IA earn a median of $121,613 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.51% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.30% below the Iowa state average of $127,078.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waukee 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.
Waukee, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $121,613 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,528 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,678
2025 BLS Actual
$118,117
2026 Current Est.
$121,613
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Waukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,678 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,099 | Actual |
| 2021 | $107,505 | Actual |
| 2022 | $108,621 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,043 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,705 | Actual |
| 2025 | $118,117 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $121,613 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $125,213 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waukee metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $99,678 (2019) to $118,117 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $125,213 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,535 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waukee 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) | $70,536 – $98,800 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,800 – $121,613 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $121,613 – $140,413 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $140,413 – $164,929 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Waukee
When analyzing the local job market, Waukee's cost of living index stands at 90.4, meaning residents may derive greater purchasing power from their salaries compared to national averages. Employers vary widely, with private practices often paying more than retail optical chains. Factors such as practice ownership, type of practice (Private vs. OD/MD models), and residency training in ocular disease can lead to significant salary disparities. Strategies to maximize pay might include pursuing further specialization, networking within local ophthalmology practices, or considering ownership stakes in private practices, especially as consolidation continues within the field. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for anyone considering how much optometrists make in Waukee, guiding new graduates or current practitioners through the unique landscape of optometrist pay in Waukee, IA.
More salary data for Waukee, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Waukee?
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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 $118,117 for optometristsin the Waukee 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 Waukee 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