Optometrist Salary in Catonsville, MD: $146,736 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Catonsville, MD earns a median $146,736/year (≈ $70.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Catonsville's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $134,251 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Catonsville, Maryland, the landscape for optometrist salaries is promising, with a projected median annual pay of $146,736 for 2026. This figure surpasses the national median of $140,612 by 4.36%, potentially reflecting the unique opportunities in the area, particularly in OD/MD model surgical co-management practices. Salaries for optometrists in the region range from $85,729 at the lowest to an impressive $209,676 at the highest, showcasing the diverse earning potential within the profession. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost-of-living factors, suggesting a strong earning capacity for licensed optometrists in Catonsville, which could position them well for financial growth in the coming years.
About the Catonsville Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($145,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,729 | $41.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $120,298 | $57.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $146,736 | $70.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $178,343 | $85.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $209,676 | $100.81 |
Median Salary Position
4.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Catonsville
In Catonsville, MD, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $123,947 (2026 est.). At $146,736, the local median is 4.36% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Catonsville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Catonsville Optometrist Pay Compares
Catonsville median: $146,736/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Catonsville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $153,650 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +4.36% more |
Optometrists in Catonsville, MD earn a median of $146,736 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.36% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 4.50% below the Maryland state average of $153,650.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Catonsville has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Catonsville, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $146,736 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $134,251 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$120,269
2025 BLS Actual
$142,517
2026 Current Est.
$146,736
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Catonsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $120,269 | Actual |
| 2020 | $123,191 | Actual |
| 2021 | $129,713 | Actual |
| 2022 | $131,059 | Actual |
| 2023 | $137,602 | Actual |
| 2024 | $151,314 | Actual |
| 2025 | $142,517 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $146,736 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $151,079 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Catonsville metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $120,269 (2019) to $142,517 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $151,079 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,810 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Catonsville 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) | $85,729 – $120,298 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $120,298 – $146,736 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $146,736 – $178,343 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $178,343 – $209,676 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Catonsville
The local job market currently employs ten optometrists, indicating a niche workforce amidst the broader healthcare professional environment. With a cost-of-living index at 109.3, expenses in Catonsville are above the national average, influencing take-home pay and purchasing power significantly. Among local employers, those involved in the OD/MD model typically offer higher compensation, thanks to shared revenue from surgical referrals. Conversely, private optometry practices and retail chains offer varied salaries, often determined by factors like practice ownership, residency training in ocular disease, and recent market conditions involving private equity ownership of formerly-independent practices. To maximize income, aspiring optometrists in Catonsville should consider focusing on specialized residency programs, seek employment in surgery-integrated practices, and negotiate employment terms carefully, taking advantage of the evolving landscape of optometry, which increasingly values expanded scopes of practice and collaborative healthcare delivery models.
More salary data for Catonsville, MD:
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 $142,517 for optometristsin the Catonsville 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 Catonsville 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