Optometrist Salary in Missoula, MT: $129,987 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Missoula, MT earns a median $129,987/year (≈ $62.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Missoula's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.2), that paycheck buys what $135,122 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Montana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Missoula, Montana, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $129,987, slightly below the national median of $140,612. The local salary range for this profession extends from $75,392 at the 10th percentile to $192,736 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse opportunities available within the market. With around 16 optometrists practicing in Missoula, those considering this career must weigh various employment structures—whether to pursue practice ownership, join a retail chain like LensCrafters, or work as an associate in a private practice. These choices can significantly impact income and job satisfaction, highlighting the need for prospective optometrists to align their career goals with local market conditions.
About the Missoula Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,392 | $36.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,505 | $50.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,987 | $62.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $157,916 | $75.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $192,736 | $92.66 |
Median Salary Position
7.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Missoula
In Missoula, MT, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $117,344 (2026 est.). At $129,987, the local median is 7.56% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Missoula: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Missoula Optometrist Pay Compares
Missoula median: $129,987/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Missoula Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $132,911 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -7.56% less |
Optometrists in Missoula, MT earn a median of $129,987 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.56% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.20% below the Montana state average of $132,911.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Missoula 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.
Missoula, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.2 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $129,987 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $135,122 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$106,541
2025 BLS Actual
$126,250
2026 Current Est.
$129,987
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Missoula (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,541 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,129 | Actual |
| 2021 | $114,907 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,100 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,896 | Actual |
| 2024 | $120,417 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,250 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,987 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,835 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Missoula metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $106,541 (2019) to $126,250 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,835 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,294 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missoula 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) | $75,392 – $105,505 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,505 – $129,987 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,987 – $157,916 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $157,916 – $192,736 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Missoula
The town’s cost-of-living index stands at 96.2, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than national averages, the purchasing power can still be favorable for those living in Missoula. Private practices tend to offer some of the highest compensation, especially for optometrists who might have undergone residency training in ocular disease or who work in an OD/MD collaborative model, benefiting from surgical referral arrangements. In contrast, retail chains often provide more stability but may come with lower pay and benefits. Factors such as practice ownership equity, the evolving scope of practice including management of glaucoma and oral medications, and the acquisition of local practices by private equity firms all play a role in determining salary variations. To maximize earnings in Missoula’s competitive market, new optometrists should focus on gaining specialized training, exploring diverse job settings, and considering practice ownership to capitalize on higher income opportunities.
More salary data for Missoula, 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 $126,250 for optometristsin the Missoula 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 Missoula 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