Optometrist Salary in Nixa, MO: $120,737 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Nixa, MO earns a median $120,737/year (≈ $58.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Nixa's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $134,751 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median annual salary of $120,737 projected for 2026, optometrists in Nixa, MO, are earning approximately 14.13% less than the national average of $140,612. Salary ranges for the profession in this city can vary widely, from $70,027 at the lowest end to $168,261 at the upper echelons. Factors affecting these incomes often hinge on employment settings—those owning private practices typically enjoy higher compensation than retail chain employees or lesser-tenured associates. Moreover, the nuances of local practice ownership versus employed positions play a significant role in determining potential earnings in Nixa's job market, which currently supports six practicing optometrists.
About the Nixa Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,027 | $33.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,339 | $47.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $120,737 | $58.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $142,199 | $68.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $168,261 | $80.90 |
Median Salary Position
14.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nixa
In Nixa, MO, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $98,234 (2026 est.). At $120,737, the local median is 14.13% below the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Nixa: You'd be above the median
How Nixa Optometrist Pay Compares
Nixa median: $120,737/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nixa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $126,030 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -14.13% less |
Optometrists in Nixa, MO earn a median of $120,737 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.13% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.20% below the Missouri state average of $126,030.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nixa 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.
Nixa, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $120,737 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,751 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,960
2025 BLS Actual
$117,266
2026 Current Est.
$120,737
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Nixa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,960 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,364 | Actual |
| 2021 | $106,730 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,838 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,222 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,907 | Actual |
| 2025 | $117,266 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $120,737 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124,311 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nixa metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $98,960 (2019) to $117,266 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $124,311 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,351 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nixa 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) | $70,027 – $98,339 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,339 – $120,737 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $120,737 – $142,199 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $142,199 – $168,261 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Nixa
The economic environment in Nixa also impacts the purchasing power of optometrists, given a cost of living index of 89.6, indicating lower expenses compared to national averages. Private practices and ophthalmology models tend to offer the most competitive pay, especially for optometrists with specialized training in ocular disease or those participating in collaborative care arrangements with other health providers. This gap between the lower and higher salary tiers can often be attributed to the dynamics of ownership equity, the influence of retailers on the job market, and the benefits of residency training. For professionals seeking to enhance their optometrist pay in Nixa, MO, gaining experience in specialized fields or aligning with higher-paying employers can significantly boost their income trajectory.
More salary data for Nixa, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Nixa?
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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 $117,266 for optometristsin the Nixa 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 Nixa 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