Optometrist Salary in Gulfport, MS: $120,039 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Gulfport, MS earns a median $120,039/year (≈ $57.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Gulfport's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $140,069 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gulfport, Mississippi, the projected median annual salary for optometrists is $120,039 for 2026, indicating a competitive position within the local market compared to the national median of $140,612. Salary ranges for optometrists in the region show significant potential, with entry-level positions starting around $69,623, while more experienced professionals can earn up to $182,403 annually. These figures, informed by 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost dynamics, reflect the unique practice environment in Gulfport, where optometrists might choose between owning a practice, working as associates in established settings, or joining retail optical chains. Given the evolving landscape of optometry, including the expansion of scope-of-practice laws in many states, “how much do optometrists make in Gulfport” will depend heavily on their structural arrangements and individual career trajectories.
About the Gulfport Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,623 | $33.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,879 | $44.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $120,039 | $57.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $143,906 | $69.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $182,403 | $87.69 |
Median Salary Position
14.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gulfport
In Gulfport, MS, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $112,780 (2026 est.). At $120,039, the local median is 14.63% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gulfport: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gulfport Optometrist Pay Compares
Gulfport median: $120,039/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gulfport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $120,521 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -14.63% less |
Optometrists in Gulfport, MS earn a median of $120,039 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.63% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.40% below the Mississippi state average of $120,521.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gulfport has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gulfport, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $120,039 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,069 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,387
2025 BLS Actual
$116,588
2026 Current Est.
$120,039
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Gulfport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,387 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,778 | Actual |
| 2021 | $106,113 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,215 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,567 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,613 | Actual |
| 2025 | $116,588 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $120,039 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $123,592 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gulfport metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $98,387 (2019) to $116,588 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $123,592 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,205 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gulfport 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) | $69,623 – $92,879 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,879 – $120,039 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $120,039 – $143,906 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $143,906 – $182,403 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Gulfport
The job market for optometrists in Gulfport, with 14 professionals currently employed, reveals a moderate demand for eye care services in the region. With a cost-of-living index of 85.7, practitioners may find that their take-home pay stretches further than in many higher-cost areas, enhancing overall financial well-being. Among potential employers, private optometry practices tend to offer the highest salaries, especially those that operate under an OD/MD model, allowing for additional revenue through surgical referrals. The salary variation in Gulfport can also be linked to factors like practice ownership equity, procedural capabilities, and the distinctions between retail chain and private practice environments. Optometrists aiming to maximize their earnings should consider specializing in areas with high demand, like ocular disease management, or pursuing employment with organizations that have previously been private and are now under private equity ownership, as these roles can provide lucrative compensation opportunities.
More salary data for Gulfport, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Gulfport, MS in 2026?
Is Gulfport, MS a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Gulfport?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Gulfport?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Gulfport?
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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 $116,588 for optometristsin the Gulfport 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 Gulfport 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