Optometrist Salary in Nicholasville, KY: $123,666 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Nicholasville, KY earns a median $123,666/year (≈ $59.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Nicholasville's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $138,484 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists practicing in Nicholasville, Kentucky, can expect a median annual salary of $123,666, which stands below the national average of $140,612. Their salaries vary significantly, ranging from $71,726 for entry-level positions to approximately $172,163 at the upper end of the market. These figures represent local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic conditions. Factors such as surgical co-management models with ophthalmologists can enhance revenue opportunities, particularly through shared referrals and specialized treatments, offering a compelling reason for new graduates and seasoned professionals to consider Nicholasville as a viable option for their careers.
About the Nicholasville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,726 | $34.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,552 | $47.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $123,666 | $59.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $144,774 | $69.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $172,163 | $82.77 |
Median Salary Position
12.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nicholasville
In Nicholasville, KY, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $100,437 (2026 est.). At $123,666, the local median is 12.05% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Nicholasville: You'd be above the median
How Nicholasville Optometrist Pay Compares
Nicholasville median: $123,666/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nicholasville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $125,550 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -12.05% less |
Optometrists in Nicholasville, KY earn a median of $123,666 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.05% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.50% below the Kentucky state average of $125,550.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nicholasville 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.
Nicholasville, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $123,666 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,484 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,360
2025 BLS Actual
$120,111
2026 Current Est.
$123,666
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Nicholasville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,823 | Actual |
| 2021 | $109,320 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,454 | Actual |
| 2023 | $115,969 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,297 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,111 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $123,666 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $127,327 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nicholasville metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $101,360 (2019) to $120,111 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $127,327 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,967 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nicholasville 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) | $71,726 – $98,552 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,552 – $123,666 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $123,666 – $144,774 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $144,774 – $172,163 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Nicholasville
The local job market in Nicholasville currently accommodates around six optometrists, suggesting a relatively small but potentially stable field for practitioners. The cost of living index, which stands at 89.3, indicates that living expenses are below the national average, thus positively impacting take-home pay. Employers here vary, with private optometry practices and ophthalmology clinics generally offering the more lucrative positions due to the presence of surgical collaboration. Conversely, retail optical chains may provide less compensation. The salary disparity largely arises from factors such as equity in practice ownership, affiliations with OD/MD models that include surgical revenue sharing, and variances in residency training. For those aiming to maximize their earnings in Nicholasville, aligning with a practice that emphasizes a strong surgical partnership or pursuing advanced training would be beneficial strategies.
More salary data for Nicholasville, 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 $120,111 for optometristsin the Nicholasville 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 Nicholasville 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