Optometrist Salary in Madisonville, KY: $119,624 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Madisonville, KY earns a median $119,624/year (≈ $57.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Madisonville's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $133,957 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Madisonville, Kentucky are projected to earn a median annual salary of $119,624, reflecting the evolving landscape of eye care practice, including the potential revenue generated through OD/MD surgical co-management. The salary range is diverse, with estimates indicating a 10th percentile of $69,382 and a 90th percentile of $160,971, suggesting a wide span of earning potential based on experience, practice environment, and patient volume. These figures are derived from state-level data and regional price adjustments, positioning Madisonville's compensation slightly below the national median of $140,612 for the same year. As the demand for optometric services increases, the job market in Madisonville is showing potential for growth, particularly as more procedures fall within the optometrist's scope of practice.
About the Madisonville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,382 | $33.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $96,545 | $46.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $119,624 | $57.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $137,693 | $66.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $160,971 | $77.38 |
Median Salary Position
14.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madisonville
In Madisonville, KY, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $91,589 (2026 est.). At $119,624, the local median is 14.93% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madisonville: You'd be above the median
How Madisonville Optometrist Pay Compares
Madisonville median: $119,624/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madisonville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $125,524 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -14.93% less |
Optometrists in Madisonville, KY earn a median of $119,624 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.93% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.70% below the Kentucky state average of $125,524.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madisonville has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Madisonville, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $119,624 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $133,957 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,047
2025 BLS Actual
$116,185
2026 Current Est.
$119,624
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Madisonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,047 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,429 | Actual |
| 2021 | $105,746 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,844 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,178 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $116,185 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,624 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $123,165 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madisonville metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $98,047 (2019) to $116,185 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $123,165 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,118 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madisonville 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) | $69,382 – $96,545 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $96,545 – $119,624 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $119,624 – $137,693 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $137,693 – $160,971 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Madisonville
Currently, there are five optometrists employed in Madisonville, which creates a tight-knit local market. With a cost-of-living index of 89.3, the take-home salaries for optometrists can provide a relatively comfortable living compared to many other metropolitan areas. Among the local employers, private optometry practices tend to offer more competitive salaries, especially those that work closely with ophthalmology practices leveraging surgical referrals under the OD/MD model. The variation in pay among optometrists can often be attributed to factors such as practice ownership equity, employment by retail optical chains versus private practices, residency training—particularly in ocular disease—and the conditions set by private equity acquisitions. To maximize earnings, optometrists in Madisonville should consider engaging in collaborative care models, pursuing advanced training to broaden their clinical scope, and exploring opportunities in surgery-related revenues, all of which could contribute significantly to enhancing their overall compensation.
More salary data for Madisonville, 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 $116,185 for optometristsin the Madisonville 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 Madisonville 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