Optometrist Salary in Lewiston, ME: $137,962 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Lewiston, ME earns a median $137,962/year (≈ $66.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Lewiston's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.6), that paycheck buys what $138,516 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Maine state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lewiston, ME, the optometrist salary is projected to reach a median annual value of $137,962 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $140,612 for the same year. The salary range for optometrists in this area varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at around $80,018 and experienced professionals earning up to $197,354. These figures reflect estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, taking into account local economic conditions and cost-of-living adjustments. Given the state's expanding scope of practice that includes glaucoma management and the administration of oral medications, Lewiston's job market for optometrists may offer a competitive edge for those seeking comprehensive roles in vision care.
About the Lewiston Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,018 | $38.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,959 | $52.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,962 | $66.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,419 | $79.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $197,354 | $94.88 |
Median Salary Position
1.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lewiston
In Lewiston, ME, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $117,336 (2026 est.). At $137,962, the local median is 1.88% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lewiston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lewiston Optometrist Pay Compares
Lewiston median: $137,962/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lewiston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $140,063 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -1.88% less |
Optometrists in Lewiston, ME earn a median of $137,962 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.88% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.50% below the Maine state average of $140,063.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lewiston has a cost of living 0.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lewiston, ME has a cost-of-living index of 99.6 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $137,962 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,516 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.4% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,078
2025 BLS Actual
$133,996
2026 Current Est.
$137,962
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Lewiston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,078 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,825 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,957 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,223 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,375 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,550 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,996 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,962 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,046 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lewiston metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $113,078 (2019) to $133,996 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,046 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,968 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lewiston 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) | $80,018 – $109,959 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,959 – $137,962 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,962 – $164,419 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,419 – $197,354 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Lewiston
With seven optometrists currently employed in the Lewiston area, the market for eye care professionals appears stable but competitive. The cost of living index is slightly below the national average at 99.6, which means that while salaries are competitive, purchasing power may be less than in higher-cost areas. Among local employers, private optometry practices generally offer better compensation compared to retail chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision, particularly when equity in practice ownership and patient referral arrangements with ophthalmology practices are factored in. Factors such as practice ownership equity, completion of residency training in ocular disease, and the employment models of privately-owned practices transitioning to private equity ownership contribute to the discrepancies in salaries. For new optometrists or those looking to maximize their pay in Lewiston, pursuing positions in independent practices or specialized roles aligned with the state's expanded scope of practice will provide the best opportunities for financial advancement.
More salary data for Lewiston, ME:
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 $133,996 for optometristsin the Lewiston 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 Lewiston 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