Optometrist Salary in Laurel, MS: $111,448 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Laurel, MS earns a median $111,448/year (≈ $53.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Laurel's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $130,044 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the optometrist salary in Laurel, Mississippi, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $111,448, which significantly lags behind the national median of $140,612. The compensation for optometrists in this area showcases a broad salary range, with the lowest 10% earning approximately $67,114 and the upper 90% drawing up to $154,243. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for cost-of-living disparities, illustrate the potential earning capacity available through specialty areas like surgical co-management within the OD/MD model, contributing additional revenue streams to an optometrist’s practice. Despite being an essential part of the healthcare landscape, the optometrist pay in Laurel MS remains less competitive than in many larger markets, presenting an important consideration for professionals entering this field.
About the Laurel Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,114 | $32.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,760 | $44.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $111,448 | $53.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $130,927 | $62.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $154,243 | $74.15 |
Median Salary Position
20.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Laurel
In Laurel, MS, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $87,129 (2026 est.). At $111,448, the local median is 20.74% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Laurel: You'd be above the median
How Laurel Optometrist Pay Compares
Laurel median: $111,448/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Laurel Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $120,484 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -20.74% less |
Optometrists in Laurel, MS earn a median of $111,448 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.74% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 7.50% below the Mississippi state average of $120,484.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Laurel 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.
Laurel, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $111,448 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $130,044 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$91,346
2025 BLS Actual
$108,244
2026 Current Est.
$111,448
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Laurel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,346 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,565 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,519 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,541 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,511 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,771 | Actual |
| 2025 | $108,244 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $111,448 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $114,747 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Laurel metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $91,346 (2019) to $108,244 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $114,747 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,401 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Laurel 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) | $67,114 – $92,760 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,760 – $111,448 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $111,448 – $130,927 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $130,927 – $154,243 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Laurel
Focusing on the local job market, Laurel has only six practicing optometrists, indicating a relatively small professional community that could experience growth as demand for eye care services continues. With a cost-of-living index of 85.7, the economic environment here allows for a reasonable purchasing power, although salaries may not provide the same standard of living as larger metropolitan areas. Among employment options, private optometry practices and ophthalmology clinics might offer higher salaries due to the profitability tied to the OD/MD practice model. Moreover, factors such as owning a practice, additional training in ocular disease, and previous experience in private equity-owned clinics can substantially influence salary levels. For those navigating the optometry landscape in Laurel, MS, strategic moves such as pursuing specialized training and seeking partnerships in lucrative practice models could enhance earning potential in this evolving field.
More salary data for Laurel, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Laurel, MS in 2026?
Is Laurel, MS a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Laurel?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Laurel?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Laurel?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Mississippi
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 $108,244 for optometristsin the Laurel 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 Laurel 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