Optometrist Salary in Salina, KS: $123,680 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Salina, KS earns a median $123,680/year (≈ $59.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Salina's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $136,062 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Salina, Kansas can expect a median annual salary of $123,680 in 2026, which reflects a competitive rate compared to the national median of $140,612. The local salary range stretches from $74,968 at the 10th percentile to a high of $172,604 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional price disparities. Notably, the choice between practice ownership, employment at private optometry offices, or working in retail chains influences earnings considerably. The current job market in Salina suggests varying pay based on the practice model, as ownership often offers additional financial rewards and equity that employed positions do not.
About the Salina Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,968 | $36.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,398 | $49.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $123,680 | $59.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $144,767 | $69.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $172,604 | $82.99 |
Median Salary Position
12.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salina
In Salina, KS, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $97,636 (2026 est.). At $123,680, the local median is 12.04% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salina: You'd be above the median
How Salina Optometrist Pay Compares
Salina median: $123,680/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salina Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $127,768 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -12.04% less |
Optometrists in Salina, KS earn a median of $123,680 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.04% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.20% below the Kansas state average of $127,768.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salina 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.
Salina, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $123,680 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $136,062 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,371
2025 BLS Actual
$120,124
2026 Current Est.
$123,680
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Salina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,371 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,834 | Actual |
| 2021 | $109,332 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,466 | Actual |
| 2023 | $115,981 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,586 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,124 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $123,680 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $127,341 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salina metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $101,371 (2019) to $120,124 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $127,341 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,970 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salina 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) | $74,968 – $103,398 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,398 – $123,680 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $123,680 – $144,767 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $144,767 – $172,604 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Salina
With 11 optometrists currently working in Salina, the local job market remains relatively small, but steady growth is projected at 2.96% annually over the next five years. The cost of living index in Salina sits at 90.9, indicating a slightly lower living expense compared to national averages, which enhances the effective purchasing power of optometrists. For those looking to maximize their earnings, private practices and ophthalmology settings may offer the highest pay potential, particularly for those trained in resident programs that focus on ocular disease management. The disparity in salaries is often tied to practice ownership equity and the operational model employed, whether it's a retail chain versus a private practice setting. Aspiring ODs should consider honing their skills in high-demand areas like glaucoma management and ocular therapeutics to increase both their marketability and income in the Salina optometry community.
More salary data for Salina, 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 $120,124 for optometristsin the Salina 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 Salina 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