Optometrist Salary in Owensboro, KY: $126,593 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Owensboro, KY earns a median $126,593/year (≈ $60.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Owensboro's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $141,761 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Owensboro, KY, the optometrist salary averages around $126,593 in 2026, reflecting the state’s broad scope of practice that incorporates glaucoma management, oral medications, and limited laser procedures. This robust salary figure sees a spectrum ranging from a lower threshold of $73,424 to a high of $182,782, allowing for varying levels of experience and practice settings. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional prices, indicate a local compensation structure that remains slightly below the national average of $140,612, which presents a unique context for aspiring optometrists in Owensboro. The job market in this southeastern Kentucky city is buoyed by its growing healthcare sector, with 14 practicing optometrists contributing to the local economy.
About the Owensboro Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,424 | $35.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,798 | $47.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,593 | $60.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $150,839 | $72.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $182,782 | $87.88 |
Median Salary Position
9.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Owensboro
In Owensboro, KY, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,358 (2026 est.). At $126,593, the local median is 9.97% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Owensboro: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Owensboro Optometrist Pay Compares
Owensboro median: $126,593/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Owensboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $125,589 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -9.97% less |
Optometrists in Owensboro, KY earn a median of $126,593 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.97% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.80% above the Kentucky state average of $125,589.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Owensboro 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.
Owensboro, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $126,593 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $141,761 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$103,760
2025 BLS Actual
$122,954
2026 Current Est.
$126,593
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Owensboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,760 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,280 | Actual |
| 2021 | $111,907 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,069 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,714 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,837 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,954 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,593 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,341 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Owensboro metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $103,760 (2019) to $122,954 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,341 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,581 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Owensboro 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) | $73,424 – $99,798 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,798 – $126,593 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,593 – $150,839 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $150,839 – $182,782 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Owensboro
When considering the local job market, the cost of living index in Owensboro stands at 89.3, which is below the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of optometrists despite their slightly lower salaries. Employers in this area include private optometry practices, retail optical chains, and even some ophthalmology settings, each offering distinct compensation packages. The variation in earnings can often be attributed to practice ownership, with those in the OD/MD model benefiting from surgical referral revenue streams. Additionally, further training such as residency opportunities can lead to better pay. For those looking to maximize their optometrist pay in Owensboro, pursuing advanced certifications and considering collaboration with ophthalmologists could be critical strategies.
More salary data for Owensboro, 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 $122,954 for optometristsin the Owensboro 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 Owensboro 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