Optometrist Salary in Sedalia, MO: $120,965 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Sedalia, MO earns a median $120,965/year (≈ $58.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Sedalia's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $135,006 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sedalia, Missouri, the projected annual optometrist salary in 2026 is $120,965, presenting a noticeable difference when compared to the national median of $140,612. Local pay ranges from $70,276 at the lower end (P10) to a maximum of $164,867 (P90), with ample opportunity for growth as the market is expected to experience a 2.96% annual increase over the next five years. While private practice ownership, alongside group practices, often correlates with higher earnings due to the potential for equity in the business, retail optical chains like LensCrafters and Walmart Vision also contribute to the job market dynamics. In Sedalia, the choice between employment at a retail chain versus private practice primarily affects income potential, shaping the professional landscape for optometrists in this region.
About the Sedalia Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,276 | $33.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,812 | $47.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $120,965 | $58.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $140,170 | $67.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $164,867 | $79.26 |
Median Salary Position
13.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sedalia
In Sedalia, MO, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $94,591 (2026 est.). At $120,965, the local median is 13.97% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sedalia: You'd be above the median
How Sedalia Optometrist Pay Compares
Sedalia median: $120,965/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sedalia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $126,005 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -13.97% less |
Optometrists in Sedalia, MO earn a median of $120,965 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.97% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.00% below the Missouri state average of $126,005.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sedalia 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.
Sedalia, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $120,965 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $135,006 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,146
2025 BLS Actual
$117,487
2026 Current Est.
$120,965
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Sedalia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,146 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,555 | Actual |
| 2021 | $106,931 | Actual |
| 2022 | $108,041 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,435 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,114 | Actual |
| 2025 | $117,487 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $120,965 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124,545 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sedalia metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $99,146 (2019) to $117,487 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $124,545 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,399 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sedalia 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) | $70,276 – $98,812 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,812 – $120,965 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $120,965 – $140,170 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $140,170 – $164,867 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Sedalia
The job market for optometrists in Sedalia consists of just six professionals, which reflects a concentrated environment despite the lower cost-of-living index of 89.6, suggesting that earnings allow for a decent standard of living. In terms of pay, private practices generally offer more lucrative compensation compared to retail settings, especially when practice ownership is factored into the equation. Variability in optometrist pay in Sedalia can be attributed to numerous factors, including practice type (private vs. retail), the collaboration model (OD/MD partnerships), and additional qualifications such as residency training in ocular disease. For those looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing advanced treatment options enhanced by recent scope-of-practice expansion, along with considerations for practice ownership or working in a higher-revenue ophthalmology clinic, may present the best strategies in this regional market.
More salary data for Sedalia, 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 $117,487 for optometristsin the Sedalia 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 Sedalia 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