Optometrist Salary in Maryland Heights, MO: $123,739 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Maryland Heights, MO earns a median $123,739/year (≈ $59.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Maryland Heights's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $138,102 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Maryland Heights, Missouri, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $123,739, which reflects a competitive landscape when we consider the broader national context where the median sits at $140,612. The local salary range shows considerable variability, with earnings running from $71,769 at the 10th percentile to $183,595 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, indicating that practice settings, such as collaborative surgical co-management with ophthalmologists, can significantly boost compensation. This dynamic contributes to the overall attractiveness of the job market for optometrists in Maryland Heights, where both primary care and specialized services can enhance earning potential.
About the Maryland Heights Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,769 | $34.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,164 | $47.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $123,739 | $59.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $144,451 | $69.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $183,595 | $88.27 |
Median Salary Position
12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Maryland Heights
In Maryland Heights, MO, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $111,826 (2026 est.). At $123,739, the local median is 12% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Maryland Heights: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Maryland Heights Optometrist Pay Compares
Maryland Heights median: $123,739/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Maryland Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $126,008 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -12.00% less |
Optometrists in Maryland Heights, MO earn a median of $123,739 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.00% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.80% below the Missouri state average of $126,008.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Maryland Heights 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.
Maryland Heights, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $123,739 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,102 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,420
2025 BLS Actual
$120,182
2026 Current Est.
$123,739
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Maryland Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,884 | Actual |
| 2021 | $109,384 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,037 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,182 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $123,739 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $127,402 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maryland Heights metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $101,420 (2019) to $120,182 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $127,402 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,982 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maryland Heights 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) | $71,769 – $98,164 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,164 – $123,739 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $123,739 – $144,451 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $144,451 – $183,595 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Maryland Heights
The optometrist job market in Maryland Heights consists of only five practicing optometrists, highlighting a relatively tight local workforce. Notably, the cost-of-living index stands at 89.6, suggesting that while salaries may slightly underperform compared to the national median, the purchasing power remains relatively favorable. Among local employers, private optometry practices and OD/MD models that focus on surgical co-management typically offer the most lucrative opportunities, as they facilitate a revenue share from referrals and surgical proceeds. Factors that influence salary variance include practice ownership, residency training in ocular disease, and the transition of previously independent practices to private equity ownership. For those aiming to increase their earnings, pursuing advanced training or joining practices that leverage surgical partnerships may yield substantial benefits in the Maryland Heights market.
More salary data for Maryland Heights, 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 $120,182 for optometristsin the Maryland Heights 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 Maryland Heights 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