Optometrist Salary in Mississippi: $119,544 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Mississippi's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median optometrist pay sits at $119,544/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1041. Because Mississippi sits at BEA RPP 85.7 (14% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $139,491 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Jackson ($122,770), Gulfport ($116,588), Pearl ($115,931).
In 2026, the average median salary for optometrists in Mississippi is projected to be $119,544, which is approximately 15.0% lower than the national median of $140,612. The state’s salary also reflects considerable variation among cities; for example, Jackson offers the highest average at $126,404, while Clinton has the lowest at $110,795. This $15,609 difference can be attributed to factors such as local demand, cost of living, and the concentration of healthcare facilities. Mississippi’s optometry practice is governed by state licensing requirements that ensure practitioners maintain a certain standard of care. The scope of practice laws allow optometrists to perform a range of services, which are crucial given the growing demand for eye care driven by an aging population and increased awareness of visual health. Currently, there are 191 optometrists employed in the state, with a projected growth rate of 2.96% annually. This growth indicates a stable job market for optometry in Mississippi, particularly in metropolitan areas like Jackson, Gulfport, Pearl, Tupelo, and Madison, where salaries are competitive and job opportunities are expected to increase.
Mississippi Optometrist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Mississippi: $65,635 (lowest entry-level) to $208,782 (highest top earner)
Mississippi vs National Average
Mississippi optometrists earn 14.98% less than the national median ($-21,068/year difference).
Mississippi Optometrist Salary Distribution (2026)
Optometrist salaries in Mississippi range from $69,118 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $179,212 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $119,544. The Mississippi median is $21,068 below the US national median of $140,612. The average hourly rate is $57.48/hr. Approximately 191 optometrists are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$112,030
2025 BLS Actual
$116,107
2026 Current Est.
$119,544
2019–2027 Growth
+9.9%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Mississippi (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,330 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $106,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,497 | Actual |
| 2025 | $116,107 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,544 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $123,083 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mississippi metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 3.6% from $112,030 (2019) to $116,107 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $123,083 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,053 (9.87%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mississippi 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 Mississippi
Lowest Paying Cities in Mississippi
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Clinton | $110,795 |
| Laurel | $111,448 |
| Columbus | $113,315 |
| Hernando | $113,441 |
| Olive Branch | $114,014 |
Best Value Cities for Optometrists in Mississippi
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Mississippi cities offer the most purchasing power for optometrists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | $126,404 | 89.048 | $141,950 |
| Gulfport | $120,039 | 85.7 | $140,069 |
| Pearl | $119,363 | 85.7 | $139,280 |
| Tupelo | $119,335 | 85.7 | $139,247 |
| Madison | $118,858 | 85.7 | $138,691 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Mississippi
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $69,118 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $119,544 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $179,212 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Mississippi metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Mississippi
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jackson | $126,404 |
| 2 | Gulfport | $120,039 |
| 3 | Pearl | $119,363 |
| 4 | Tupelo | $119,335 |
| 5 | Madison | $118,858 |
| 6 | Southaven | $118,541 |
| 7 | Biloxi | $118,268 |
| 8 | Horn Lake | $118,054 |
| 9 | Starkville | $117,184 |
| 10 | Ridgeland | $115,698 |
| 11 | Vicksburg | $115,698 |
| 12 | Hattiesburg | $114,976 |
| 13 | Oxford | $114,967 |
| 14 | Brandon | $114,846 |
| 15 | Meridian | $114,238 |
| 16 | Olive Branch | $114,014 |
| 17 | Hernando | $113,441 |
| 18 | Columbus | $113,315 |
| 19 | Laurel | $111,448 |
| 20 | Clinton | $110,795 |
More Mississippi Salary Data
Explore More Optometrist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Mississippi in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for optometrists in Mississippi?
How does Mississippi optometrist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level optometrist salary in Mississippi?
How many optometrists are employed in Mississippi?
Which Mississippi city offers the best value for optometrists?
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 Mississippi. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 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