Optometrist Salary in Marlborough, MA: $152,990 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Marlborough, MA earns a median $152,990/year (≈ $73.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Marlborough's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $141,005 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Marlborough, Massachusetts, can expect a median annual pay of $152,990 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national median of $140,612 by 8.80%. The salary range for this profession in Marlborough is projected to vary from $88,734 at the lowest end to $213,699 for the top earners. These figures are derived from state-level data and adjusted for regional price differences, reflecting the local market dynamics for optometry services. As optometrists in MA are authorized to manage a broader scope of practice—including glaucoma treatment, oral medications, and laser procedures—the earnings potential is positioned to be competitive, particularly given the growing demand for advanced eye care in the community.
About the Marlborough Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($150,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $88,734 | $42.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $122,339 | $58.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $152,990 | $73.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $179,653 | $86.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $213,699 | $102.74 |
Median Salary Position
8.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Marlborough
In Marlborough, MA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $124,965 (2026 est.). At $152,990, the local median is 8.8% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Marlborough: You'd be above the median
How Marlborough Optometrist Pay Compares
Marlborough median: $152,990/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Marlborough Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $155,005 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +8.80% more |
Optometrists in Marlborough, MA earn a median of $152,990 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.80% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 1.30% below the Massachusetts state average of $155,005.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Marlborough has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Marlborough, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $152,990 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $141,005 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$125,395
2025 BLS Actual
$148,592
2026 Current Est.
$152,990
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Marlborough (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $125,395 | Actual |
| 2020 | $128,442 | Actual |
| 2021 | $135,242 | Actual |
| 2022 | $136,645 | Actual |
| 2023 | $143,467 | Actual |
| 2024 | $160,665 | Actual |
| 2025 | $148,592 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $152,990 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $157,519 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Marlborough metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $125,395 (2019) to $148,592 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $157,519 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,124 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marlborough 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) | $88,734 – $122,339 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $122,339 – $152,990 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $152,990 – $179,653 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $179,653 – $213,699 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Marlborough
The job market for optometrists in Marlborough remains stable, with approximately 10 professionals currently employed in the area. However, when factoring in the cost of living index at 108.5, it becomes evident that while salaries may seem robust, take-home purchasing power is slightly challenged compared to national averages. In Marlborough, optometrists may find better compensation through private practices that have embraced the OD/MD model or those involved with military health systems, as opposed to retail optical chains. The pay disparity in the locale is influenced by various factors, including practice ownership equity and how well practices adapt to current trends in eye care. Optometrists aiming to maximize their earnings should consider positions that offer surgical referral revenue share, gain experience through residency training, or stay abreast of updates in scope-of-practice regulations to remain competitive in this evolving market.
More salary data for Marlborough, MA:
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 $148,592 for optometristsin the Marlborough 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 Marlborough 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