Optometrist Salary in Wichita, KS: $127,609 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Wichita, KS earns a median $127,609/year (≈ $61.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Wichita's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $143,468 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Kansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Wichita, Kansas can expect a median annual salary of $127,609, which reflects a competitive position in the local job market despite being approximately 9.25% below the national median of $140,612. The salary range for optometrists in this region varies significantly from $85,076 at the 10th percentile to $199,063 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the diverse opportunities influenced by practice ownership versus employed associates and retail chain settings. These figures, drawn from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment Statistics (OEWS) surveys, indicate that those with ownership stakes in private practices or specialized training may command higher salaries, while those working in retail optical chains might find their earnings on the lower end of the scale. The employment landscape reflects ongoing shifts as the traditional retail chains face competition and consolidation, impacting how much optometrists make in Wichita.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,076 | $40.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,041 | $50.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $127,609 | $61.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,827 | $79.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $199,063 | $95.70 |
Median Salary Position
9.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wichita
In Wichita, KS, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $113,987 (2026 est.). At $127,609, the local median is 9.25% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wichita: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wichita Optometrist Pay Compares
Wichita median: $127,609/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wichita Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $127,864 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -9.25% less |
Optometrists in Wichita, KS earn a median of $127,609 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.25% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.20% below the Kansas state average of $127,864.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wichita has a cost of living 11.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wichita, KS has a cost-of-living index of 88.946 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $127,609 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,468 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.43% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$97,460
2025 BLS Actual
$123,940
2026 Current Est.
$127,609
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Wichita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,460 | Actual |
| 2020 | $96,970 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,580 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $120,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,609 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,386 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wichita metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 27.2% from $97,460 (2019) to $123,940 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,386 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,926 (34.81%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wichita 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) | $85,076 – $104,041 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,041 – $127,609 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $127,609 – $165,827 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,827 – $199,063 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Wichita
With about 120 optometrists employed in the Wichita area, the local job market remains relatively stable. The cost of living index, measuring at 88.946, suggests that while salaries may be lower than the national average, residents have greater purchasing power in Wichita. Employers like private optometry practices and ophthalmology groups tend to offer higher compensation compared to retail establishments such as LensCrafters or Walmart Vision. The disparity in salaries often hinges on factors including practice ownership, the ODs who work alongside ophthalmologists with referral revenue structures, and the specialized training that residency programs provide. For those looking to enhance their optometrist pay in Wichita, pursuing residency training or establishing ownership in a practice can significantly increase earning potential. Engaging with the AOA and expanding one's scope of practice to include advanced treatments may also afford additional financial benefits in this evolving market.
More salary data for Wichita, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Wichita, KS in 2026?
Is Wichita, KS a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Wichita?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Wichita?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Wichita?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Kansas
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 $123,940 for optometristsin the Wichita 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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