Optometrist Salary in Emporia, KS: $117,999 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Emporia, KS earns a median $117,999/year (≈ $56.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Emporia's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $129,812 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.7% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, empirical data indicates an optometrist salary in Emporia, KS averages $117,999, significantly lower than the national median of $140,612. Local salaries range from $70,707 at the 10th percentile to $166,966 at the 90th, factoring in regional price adjustments based on 2025 BLS data. These figures reflect the varying income opportunities depending on whether practitioners are employed in retail chain environments, private practice, or partnerships. Employed optometrists may see different pay scales based on their work settings, with ownership often yielding higher compensation through equity and direct patient care revenues, notably when linked to surgical referrals in collaborative OD/MD models.
About the Emporia Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,707 | $34.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,955 | $47.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $117,999 | $56.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $140,885 | $67.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $166,966 | $80.27 |
Median Salary Position
16.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Emporia
In Emporia, KS, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $96,259 (2026 est.). At $117,999, the local median is 16.08% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Emporia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Emporia Optometrist Pay Compares
Emporia median: $117,999/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Emporia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $127,843 | -7.70% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -16.08% less |
Optometrists in Emporia, KS earn a median of $117,999 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.08% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 7.70% below the Kansas state average of $127,843.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Emporia has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Emporia, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $117,999 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $129,812 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$96,716
2025 BLS Actual
$114,607
2026 Current Est.
$117,999
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Emporia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,716 | Actual |
| 2020 | $99,065 | Actual |
| 2021 | $104,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,393 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,654 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,415 | Actual |
| 2025 | $114,607 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $117,999 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,492 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Emporia metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $96,716 (2019) to $114,607 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,492 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,776 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Emporia 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) | $70,707 – $97,955 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,955 – $117,999 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $117,999 – $140,885 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $140,885 – $166,966 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Emporia
The job market in Emporia is relatively compact, with only five optometrists currently practicing in the area. This limited number may influence opportunities and competition, but the cost-of-living index at 90.9 indicates that take-home pay stretches further locally than it would in higher-cost regions. For those exploring optometrist pay in Emporia, KS, private practices may offer the most lucrative positions, especially for those with residency training or who can navigate the dynamics of practice acquisition and management. Retail optical chains like LensCrafters and Pearle Vision tend to have lower average salaries but provide steady employment opportunities. Specialists in ocular disease or those who build relationships with local vision insurance providers could enhance their earning potential, especially as scope-of-practice expands to include areas such as glaucoma management and minor surgical procedures.
More salary data for Emporia, KS:
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 $114,607 for optometristsin the Emporia 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 Emporia 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