Optometrist Salary in Maine: $156,180 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maine's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median optometrist pay sits at $156,180/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1041. Because Maine sits at BEA RPP 99.6 (0% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $156,807 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Portland ($161,220), South Portland ($160,530), Lewiston ($133,996).
In 2026, the average median salary for optometrists in Maine is projected to be $156,180, which is an 11.1% increase over the national median of $140,612. This reflects the demand for optometrists in the state, as Maine's specific licensing and scope of practice laws necessitate a thorough understanding of eye care that can influence compensation structures. The highest paying city is Portland at $165,992, while Brunswick ranks lowest at $129,599, creating a salary gap of $36,393. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, local demand for eye care services, and the prevalence of healthcare facilities in urban versus rural areas. With a total employment of 148 optometrists in the state, Maine has seen a projected job growth rate of 2.96% annually, indicating a stable job market for this profession. Other cities with notable salaries include South Portland at $165,282, Lewiston at $137,962, Bangor at $134,028, and Scarborough at $133,621. As the need for comprehensive vision care continues to grow, opportunities in both metropolitan and rural areas are expected to expand, making this field a viable career choice for future optometrists in Maine.
Maine Optometrist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maine: $76,335 (lowest entry-level) to $240,256 (highest top earner)
Maine vs National Average
Maine optometrists earn 11.07% more than the national median (+$15,568/year difference).
Maine Optometrist Salary Distribution (2026)
Optometrist salaries in Maine range from $101,956 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $210,488 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $156,180. The Maine median is $15,568 above the US national median of $140,612. The average hourly rate is $75.09/hr. Approximately 148 optometrists are employed across 10 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$111,120
2025 BLS Actual
$151,690
2026 Current Est.
$156,180
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Maine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $98,816 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $137,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,787 | Actual |
| 2025 | $151,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $156,180 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $160,803 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maine metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 36.5% from $111,120 (2019) to $151,690 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $160,803 by 2027 — a total increase of $49,683 (44.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maine 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Maine
Lowest Paying Cities in Maine
Best Value Cities for Optometrists in Maine
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maine cities offer the most purchasing power for optometrists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Portland | $165,282 | 99.6 | $165,946 |
| Portland | $165,992 | 101.858 | $162,964 |
| Lewiston | $137,962 | 99.6 | $138,516 |
| Bangor | $134,028 | 99.6 | $134,566 |
| Scarborough | $133,621 | 99.6 | $134,158 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maine
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $101,956 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $156,180 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $210,488 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maine metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 10 Cities in Maine
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portland | $165,992 |
| 2 | South Portland | $165,282 |
| 3 | Lewiston | $137,962 |
| 4 | Bangor | $134,028 |
| 5 | Scarborough | $133,621 |
| 6 | Biddeford | $132,505 |
| 7 | Augusta | $132,064 |
| 8 | Auburn | $131,611 |
| 9 | Sanford | $130,831 |
| 10 | Brunswick | $129,599 |
More Maine Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced optometrists.
Explore More Optometrist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Maine in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for optometrists in Maine?
How does Maine optometrist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level optometrist salary in Maine?
How many optometrists are employed in Maine?
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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
Statewide 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. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 optometrist compensation across Maine. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 metro areas — larger metro areas with more optometristscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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