Optometrist Salary in Kansas City, MO: $142,682 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Kansas City, MO earns a median $142,682/year (≈ $68.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Kansas City's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.5), that paycheck buys what $154,179 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.2% above the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kansas City, Missouri, the competitive optometrist salary is projected to reach $142,682 in 2026, slightly surpassing the national average of $140,612. This figure reflects the expanded scope of practice in Missouri, which includes the management of glaucoma, prescribing oral medications, and performing certain laser procedures. With the full salary range extending from $96,412 at the 10th percentile to $181,240 at the 90th percentile, Kansas City offers a promising environment for both newly graduated optometrists and seasoned professionals. All salary estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected for 2026, indicating a healthy local job market influenced by various factors that shape comp within the profession.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $96,412 | $46.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $123,552 | $59.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $142,682 | $68.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $152,844 | $73.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $181,240 | $87.14 |
Median Salary Position
1.47% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kansas City
In Kansas City, MO, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $84,828 (2026 est.). At $142,682, the local median is 1.47% above the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Kansas City: You'd be above the median
How Kansas City Optometrist Pay Compares
Kansas City median: $142,682/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kansas City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $126,044 | +13.20% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +1.47% more |
Optometrists in Kansas City, MO earn a median of $142,682 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.47% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 13.20% above the Missouri state average of $126,044.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kansas City has a cost of living 7.46% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kansas City, MO has a cost-of-living index of 92.543 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $142,682 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $154,179 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.06% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,270
2025 BLS Actual
$138,580
2026 Current Est.
$142,682
2019–2027 Growth
+29.7%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Kansas City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,260 | Actual |
| 2021 | $105,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,690 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,350 | Actual |
| 2025 | $138,580 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,682 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,905 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kansas City metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 22.3% from $113,270 (2019) to $138,580 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,905 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,635 (29.69%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kansas City 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) | $96,412 – $123,552 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $123,552 – $142,682 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $142,682 – $152,844 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $152,844 – $181,240 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Kansas City
Within Kansas City, there are approximately 450 optometrists employed locally, presenting a stable job market for those in the field. The cost of living index stands at 92.543, which is below the national average, allowing for more favorable take-home pay. Local employers vary in their compensation structures, with private practices generally offering higher earnings compared to retail optical chains due to factors like ownership equity and the ability to share surgical revenue in OD/MD models. To maximize pay in this market, aspiring optometrists might consider pursuing residency training—especially in ocular disease or a VA pathway—as these qualifications can significantly enhance earning potential. Additionally, understanding the dynamics of practice ownership, the evolving landscape of private equity takeovers, and the nuances of employment agreements could be beneficial strategies for boosting overall compensation.
More salary data for Kansas City, 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 $138,580 for optometristsin the Kansas City 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
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