Optometrist Salary in Joplin, MO: $122,150 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Joplin, MO earns a median $122,150/year (≈ $58.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Joplin's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $136,328 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, reaching a median annual salary of $122,150, optometrists in Joplin, Missouri, experience a compensation structure that reflects the diverse employment options available in the area. With salaries ranging from $70,847 at the lower end to $183,499 for top earners, the earnings of local optometrists depend significantly on their career path, such as ownership in private practices, roles as employed associates, or positions within retail optical chains. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and also take into account regional economic factors. The choice among these employment modalities can impact not only annual income but also professional growth and autonomy in practice.
About the Joplin Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,847 | $34.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,902 | $47.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $122,150 | $58.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $149,825 | $72.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $183,499 | $88.22 |
Median Salary Position
13.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Joplin
In Joplin, MO, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $112,652 (2026 est.). At $122,150, the local median is 13.13% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Joplin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Joplin Optometrist Pay Compares
Joplin median: $122,150/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Joplin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $125,928 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -13.13% less |
Optometrists in Joplin, MO earn a median of $122,150 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.13% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.00% below the Missouri state average of $125,928.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Joplin has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Joplin, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $122,150 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $136,328 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,040
2025 BLS Actual
$118,638
2026 Current Est.
$122,150
2019–2027 Growth
+47.9%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Joplin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,040 | Actual |
| 2020 | $98,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $107,979 | Actual |
| 2022 | $109,100 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,193 | Actual |
| 2025 | $118,638 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $122,150 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $125,765 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Joplin metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 39.5% from $85,040 (2019) to $118,638 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $125,765 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,725 (47.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joplin 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) | $70,847 – $97,902 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,902 – $122,150 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $122,150 – $149,825 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $149,825 – $183,499 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Joplin
Analyzing the job market in Joplin reveals that with only 8 optometrists currently employed in the area, the local scene appears rather concentrated. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 89.6, prospective optometrists must consider how salary levels translate into real purchasing power. Employers who typically offer higher salaries include private optometry practices and ophthalmology groups, especially those engaging in collaborative care with surgical referrals. The disparity in earnings may stem from variables such as practice ownership, optional residency training in ocular disease, and the evolving landscape of retail optical chains, which have been absorbed by private equity initiatives, potentially affecting long-term salary prospects. For those looking to maximize their optometrist pay in Joplin, pursuing opportunities for practice ownership or developing specialized skills in areas like glaucoma management can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Joplin, MO:
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 $118,638 for optometristsin the Joplin 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 Joplin 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