Optometrist Salary in St. Peters, MO: $127,637 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in St. Peters, MO earns a median $127,637/year (≈ $61.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in St. Peters's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $142,452 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Peters, Missouri, the projected optometrist salary for 2026 is set at an annual median of $127,637, which is below the national median of $140,612. Salaries in this market range from $74,029 at the 10th percentile to $185,556 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse landscape for optometrists practicing in the area. Factors such as ownership structures—whether as independent practice owners, employed associates, or retail chain practitioners—significantly influence compensation levels. Notably, the concentration of employed optometrists remains modest, providing unique opportunities for those looking to venture into private practice or align with specialty ophthalmology practices to capitalize on the high end of the pay spectrum.
About the St. Peters Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,029 | $35.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,381 | $48.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $127,637 | $61.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $155,637 | $74.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $185,556 | $89.20 |
Median Salary Position
9.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Peters
In St. Peters, MO, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $111,527 (2026 est.). At $127,637, the local median is 9.23% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Peters: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Peters Optometrist Pay Compares
St. Peters median: $127,637/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Peters Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $125,999 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -9.23% less |
Optometrists in St. Peters, MO earn a median of $127,637 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.23% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.30% above the Missouri state average of $125,999.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Peters 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.
St. Peters, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $127,637 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $142,452 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,615
2025 BLS Actual
$123,968
2026 Current Est.
$127,637
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in St. Peters (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,615 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,157 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,830 | Actual |
| 2022 | $114,001 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,693 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,189 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,968 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,637 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,416 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Peters metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $104,615 (2019) to $123,968 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,416 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,801 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Peters 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) | $74,029 – $101,381 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,381 – $127,637 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $127,637 – $155,637 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $155,637 – $185,556 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in St. Peters
In St. Peters, the local job market consists of only nine practicing optometrists, which creates an environment ripe for potential growth, particularly for those with advanced residency training, potentially increasing their marketability and salary. The cost of living index sits at 89.6, lower than the national average, allowing residents to stretch their salaries further. Among various employers, private practices typically provide more lucrative compensation than retail optical chains, particularly in cases where optometrists work alongside ophthalmologists in OD/MD models. The range of salaries can also be attributed to various factors such as practice ownership equity, the inclusion of surgical referrals, and the terms negotiated after practice acquisitions. For optometrists in this market, aligning with successful private practices and seeking ongoing professional development can significantly enhance earning potential in St. Peters, MO.
More salary data for St. Peters, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in St. Peters?
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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 $123,968 for optometristsin the St. Peters 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 St. Peters 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