Optometrist Salary in Lexington, KY: $143,176 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Lexington, KY earns a median $143,176/year (≈ $68.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Lexington's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.9), that paycheck buys what $154,137 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.0% above the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, optometrist salaries in Lexington, KY, present a promising landscape with a median annual compensation of $143,176, positioning local practitioners slightly above the national median of $140,612. The salary range spans from $81,256 at the 10th percentile to as high as $285,055 at the 90th percentile, revealing significant income variance based on factors such as practice ownership and employment setting. Those who own their practices or are aligned with ophthalmology groups—particularly in surgical referral models—tend to earn more. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflects the intricate dynamics of the healthcare employment market in Lexington, where career choices among optometrists play a pivotal role in determining earnings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,256 | $39.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $96,350 | $46.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,176 | $68.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $180,860 | $86.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $285,055 | $137.05 |
Median Salary Position
1.82% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lexington
In Lexington, KY, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $203,799 (2026 est.). At $143,176, the local median is 1.82% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lexington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lexington Optometrist Pay Compares
Lexington median: $143,176/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lexington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $125,593 | +14.00% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +1.82% more |
Optometrists in Lexington, KY earn a median of $143,176 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.82% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 14.00% above the Kentucky state average of $125,593.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lexington has a cost of living 7.11% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lexington, KY has a cost-of-living index of 92.889 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $143,176 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $154,137 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$144,770
2025 BLS Actual
$139,060
2026 Current Est.
$143,176
2019–2027 Growth
+1.8%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $144,770 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,202 | Actual |
| 2021 | $134,330 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,176 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,414 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lexington metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew -3.9% from $144,770 (2019) to $139,060 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,414 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,644 (1.83%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lexington 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) | $81,256 – $96,350 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $96,350 – $143,176 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,176 – $180,860 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $180,860 – $285,055 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Lexington
Looking at the local job market, there are currently 40 optometrists employed in Lexington, where a cost-of-living index of 92.889 signifies that take-home purchasing power is comparatively robust. Optical retail chains like LensCrafters and Walmart Vision represent significant employers, although private practice often yields higher earnings, especially for those with advanced residencies or specialties in ocular disease. The income discrepancies stem from diverse factors including practice equity, the relationships between optometrists and ophthalmologists in the OD/MD model, and the effects of private equity acquisitions. For those looking to optimize their pay in this area, strategic networking and pursuing advanced training in emerging areas of practice could lead to substantial salary increases in a market that is growing annually at a rate of 2.96%.
More salary data for Lexington, KY:
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 $139,060 for optometristsin the Lexington 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, 5-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