Optometrist Salary in Hattiesburg, MS: $114,976 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Hattiesburg, MS earns a median $114,976/year (≈ $55.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Hattiesburg's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $134,161 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, can expect a median annual salary of $114,976, which indicates a notable pay gap compared to the national median of $140,612. Local salaries range from $66,931 at the lower end (P10) to $164,151 at the higher end (P90), reflecting a range of practice structures within the region. The position of an optometrist may vary significantly between owning a private practice, working as an associate in a group practice, or being employed by a retail optical chain. With a cost-of-living index of 85.7, professionals in Hattiesburg benefit from a more affordable living environment, which can enhance the effective purchasing power of their salaries relative to the national average.
About the Hattiesburg Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,931 | $32.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,194 | $45.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $114,976 | $55.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $137,090 | $65.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $164,151 | $78.92 |
Median Salary Position
18.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hattiesburg
In Hattiesburg, MS, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $97,220 (2026 est.). At $114,976, the local median is 18.23% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hattiesburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hattiesburg Optometrist Pay Compares
Hattiesburg median: $114,976/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hattiesburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $120,520 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -18.23% less |
Optometrists in Hattiesburg, MS earn a median of $114,976 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.23% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.60% below the Mississippi state average of $120,520.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hattiesburg 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.
Hattiesburg, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $114,976 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,161 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$94,238
2025 BLS Actual
$111,671
2026 Current Est.
$114,976
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Hattiesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,238 | Actual |
| 2020 | $96,528 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,638 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,693 | Actual |
| 2023 | $107,820 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,581 | Actual |
| 2025 | $111,671 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $114,976 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $118,380 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hattiesburg metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $94,238 (2019) to $111,671 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $118,380 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,142 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hattiesburg 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) | $66,931 – $94,194 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,194 – $114,976 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $114,976 – $137,090 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $137,090 – $164,151 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Hattiesburg
The job market for optometrists in Hattiesburg reflects a niche but stable presence, with around seven currently employed in the area. The competitive pay can differ widely based on the setting; for instance, private practices often provide greater compensation, especially if the optometrists are residency-trained in ocular disease or work in an OD/MD model alongside ophthalmologists. Conversely, retail chains may offer lower salaries but often provide stable employment with less practice management concern. Optometrists need to consider the structure of their employment carefully and weigh options such as practice ownership or joining a multi-specialty clinic to maximize earnings potential. Understanding the nuances of local practice ownership and the subsequent effects on pay can be crucial for those questioning how much do optometrists make in Hattiesburg.
More salary data for Hattiesburg, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Hattiesburg, MS in 2026?
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Can optometrists make $100K in Hattiesburg?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Hattiesburg?
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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 $111,671 for optometristsin the Hattiesburg 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 Hattiesburg 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