Optometrist Salary in Junction City, KS: $120,537 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Junction City, KS earns a median $120,537/year (≈ $57.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Junction City's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $132,604 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual compensation for optometrists in Junction City, Kansas, is projected to be $120,537, which reflects the local context of a profession that includes various advanced practices such as glaucoma management, the prescription of oral medications, and select laser procedures. The salary range is quite varied, spanning from $69,912 at the 10th percentile to a robust $171,210 at the 90th percentile. These figures are local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price disparities, illustrating both the potential for significant earnings and the competitive nature of the optometry field in this area. Given the local employment level, with only six optometrists currently operating in Junction City, there are distinctive market dynamics that inform the earning potential for practitioners in the city.
About the Junction City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,912 | $33.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,213 | $49.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $120,537 | $57.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $144,319 | $69.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $171,210 | $82.32 |
Median Salary Position
14.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Junction City
In Junction City, KS, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $101,298 (2026 est.). At $120,537, the local median is 14.28% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Junction City: You'd be above the median
How Junction City Optometrist Pay Compares
Junction City median: $120,537/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Junction City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $127,823 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -14.28% less |
Optometrists in Junction City, KS earn a median of $120,537 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.28% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 5.70% below the Kansas state average of $127,823.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Junction City 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.
Junction City, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $120,537 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $132,604 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,796
2025 BLS Actual
$117,072
2026 Current Est.
$120,537
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Junction City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,796 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,196 | Actual |
| 2021 | $106,554 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,660 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,034 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,725 | Actual |
| 2025 | $117,072 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $120,537 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124,105 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Junction City metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $98,796 (2019) to $117,072 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $124,105 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,309 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Junction City 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) | $69,912 – $103,213 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,213 – $120,537 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $120,537 – $144,319 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $144,319 – $171,210 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Junction City
Local optometrists must navigate a job market characterized by a low number of professionals, resulting in unique opportunities and challenges. With a cost-of-living index of 90.9, residents in Junction City enjoy a slightly lower living expense compared to national averages, which can enhance their effective purchasing power despite salaries that trail behind national levels. Among various employers, private optometry practices often offer more competitive compensation, especially for those with specialties or residency training in ocular disease, while retail chains and military health systems may vary widely in salary structures. Factors impacting compensation ranges include ownership stakes, collaboration with ophthalmologists, and contractual agreements with private equity groups. For those practicing in Junction City, strategic positioning within the local healthcare community and leveraging specialized skills can be key strategies to maximize pay in this evolving market.
More salary data for Junction City, 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 $117,072 for optometristsin the Junction City 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 Junction City 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