Optometrist Salary in Portland, ME: $165,992 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Portland, ME earns a median $165,992/year (≈ $79.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Portland's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.9), that paycheck buys what $162,964 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 18.5% above the Maine state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Portland, ME, the 2026 median annual salary for optometrists is projected to be $165,992, surpassing the national median of $140,612 by approximately 18.05%. The salary range spans from $112,401 at the 10th percentile to $220,540 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant earning potential based on experience, practice setting, and specialization. These figures are derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2025 data, projected to 2026, reflecting the local market's strength amidst an evolving scope of practice that now includes glaucoma management, oral medications, and certain laser procedures. With an annual growth rate of 2.96%, the optometrist salary in Portland is buoyed by a robust demand for eye care services.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $112,401 | $54.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $120,463 | $57.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $165,992 | $79.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $182,888 | $87.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $220,540 | $106.03 |
Median Salary Position
18.05% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, ME, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,139 (2026 est.). At $165,992, the local median is 18.05% above the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Portland: You'd be above the median
How Portland Optometrist Pay Compares
Portland median: $165,992/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $140,078 | +18.50% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +18.05% more |
Optometrists in Portland, ME earn a median of $165,992 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.05% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 18.50% above the Maine state average of $140,078.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 1.86% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, ME has a cost-of-living index of 101.858 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $165,992 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $162,964 — a 1.82% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,120
2025 BLS Actual
$161,220
2026 Current Est.
$165,992
2019–2027 Growth
+53.8%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Portland (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 | $102,260 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $137,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $161,220 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $165,992 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $170,905 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 45.1% from $111,120 (2019) to $161,220 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $170,905 by 2027 — a total increase of $59,785 (53.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland 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) | $112,401 – $120,463 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $120,463 – $165,992 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $165,992 – $182,888 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $182,888 – $220,540 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Portland
In the local job market, around 100 optometrists are currently employed, contributing to a competitive environment where salaries can vary widely based on several factors. The cost of living index in Portland is 101.858, slightly above the national average, which affects purchasing power for optometrists in the area. Employers such as private optometry practices, ophthalmology clinics, and retail optical chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision play a significant role in determining pay scales. Higher salaries generally align with those who have ownership equity or have trained in specialized residencies, particularly those focusing on ocular disease. This disparity in pay arises from practice models—ownership versus employed—and the complexities of referral relationships in OD/MD collaborations. To maximize optometrist pay in Portland ME, professionals should consider advancing their training with residency programs, exploring ownership opportunities, or seeking roles in environments that emphasize surgical revenue share.
More salary data for Portland, 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 $161,220 for optometristsin the Portland 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
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