Optometrist Salary in O'Fallon, MO: $125,921 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in O'Fallon, MO earns a median $125,921/year (≈ $60.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in O'Fallon's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $140,537 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in O'Fallon, Missouri, can expect a median annual salary of $125,921 in 2026, reflecting the importance of the OD/MD model in enhancing revenue through surgical co-management arrangements. Salary estimates show a range from $73,035 at the 10th percentile to $191,865 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, indicate that while local salaries might fall slightly below the national median of $140,612, the local market shows potential for future growth fueled by demand for expanded eye care services, particularly as practices increasingly adopt collaborative care approaches.
About the O'Fallon Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,035 | $35.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,939 | $47.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,921 | $60.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $151,659 | $72.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $191,865 | $92.24 |
Median Salary Position
10.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in O'Fallon
In O'Fallon, MO, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $118,830 (2026 est.). At $125,921, the local median is 10.45% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in O'Fallon: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How O'Fallon Optometrist Pay Compares
O'Fallon median: $125,921/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | O'Fallon Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $126,047 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -10.45% less |
Optometrists in O'Fallon, MO earn a median of $125,921 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.45% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.10% below the Missouri state average of $126,047.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
O'Fallon 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.
O'Fallon, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $125,921 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,537 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$103,209
2025 BLS Actual
$122,301
2026 Current Est.
$125,921
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in O'Fallon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,209 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,716 | Actual |
| 2021 | $111,313 | Actual |
| 2022 | $112,468 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,083 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,627 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,301 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,921 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,648 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the O'Fallon metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $103,209 (2019) to $122,301 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,648 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,439 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the O'Fallon 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) | $73,035 – $97,939 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,939 – $125,921 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,921 – $151,659 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $151,659 – $191,865 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in O'Fallon
In O'Fallon, where 22 optometrists are currently employed, understanding the local job market is essential. The cost of living index stands at 89.6, suggesting that salaries here provide a better purchasing power than in higher-cost regions. Employers in the area that tend to pay top dollar include private optometry practices and those operating under the OD/MD model, which share in surgical referral revenues. Variations in pay arise from factors such as practice ownership equity, the type of employment setting—whether private or retail—and additional professional training in ocular disease. For those looking to maximize their optometrist pay in O'Fallon, pursuing residency training and establishing connections within local medical communities, along with considering opportunities in thriving practices, may provide advantageous leverage in salary negotiations.
More salary data for O'Fallon, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in O'Fallon, MO in 2026?
Is O'Fallon, MO a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in O'Fallon?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in O'Fallon?
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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 $122,301 for optometristsin the O'Fallon 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 O'Fallon 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