Optometrist Salary in Great Falls, MT: $132,566 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Great Falls, MT earns a median $132,566/year (≈ $63.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Great Falls's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.2), that paycheck buys what $137,802 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the Montana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Great Falls, Montana, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $132,566, which reflects a slight dip compared to the national median of $140,612. Salaries in this profession can vary significantly, ranging from $76,888 at the 10th percentile to $201,756 at the 90th percentile, highlighting diverse earning potentials within the local market. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, underscore the economic dynamics in Great Falls, where the integration of the OD/MD model for surgical co-management can significantly enhance revenue streams for optometrists. With twelve professionals employed locally, the market demonstrates a specific demand for optometric services, setting the stage for career opportunities affected by the broader healthcare landscape.
About the Great Falls Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,888 | $36.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,763 | $49.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,566 | $63.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,167 | $78.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $201,756 | $97.00 |
Median Salary Position
5.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Great Falls
In Great Falls, MT, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $124,868 (2026 est.). At $132,566, the local median is 5.72% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Great Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Great Falls Optometrist Pay Compares
Great Falls median: $132,566/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Great Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $132,965 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -5.72% less |
Optometrists in Great Falls, MT earn a median of $132,566 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.72% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.30% below the Montana state average of $132,965.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Great Falls has a cost of living 3.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Great Falls, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.2 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $132,566 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,802 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$108,655
2025 BLS Actual
$128,755
2026 Current Est.
$132,566
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Great Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,655 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,295 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,187 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,403 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,315 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,807 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,755 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,566 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,490 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Great Falls metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $108,655 (2019) to $128,755 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,490 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,835 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Great Falls 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) | $76,888 – $102,763 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,763 – $132,566 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,566 – $164,167 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,167 – $201,756 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Great Falls
The local job market for optometrists reveals key aspects influencing pay in Great Falls, MT. With a cost-of-living index of 96.2, the purchasing power for optometrists remains relatively strong, allowing for a more favorable lifestyle without the financial burden presented in higher-cost urban centers. Employers like private optometry practices, ophthalmology clinics, and military health systems typically offer some of the best compensation. Factors such as ownership structure, residency training in specialized fields, and employment arrangements post-acquisition by private equity can affect salary disparities significantly. Optometrists looking to maximize their pay should seek opportunities within the OD/MD model, as those practicing alongside ophthalmologists often benefit from additional revenue-sharing agreements. Engaging in specialized residency programs may also yield higher pay, ensuring alignment with evolving practice needs and scope expansion that many states now advocate.
More salary data for Great Falls, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $128,755 for optometristsin the Great Falls 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 Great Falls 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