Optometrist Salary in Bellevue, NE: $124,588 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Bellevue, NE earns a median $124,588/year (≈ $59.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Bellevue's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $136,162 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The 2026 median optometrist salary in Bellevue, Nebraska, is projected to be $124,588, reflecting a notable local market that continues to grow. This compensation range features a broad spectrum, with earnings varying from $72,260 at the 10th percentile up to $186,863 for those at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, illustrate the region's competitive nature, particularly for optometrists involved in the OD/MD model of surgical co-management. As demand for specialized eye care continues, professionals in Bellevue benefit from this revenue-sharing approach, which supports a favorable compensation environment compared to the national median of $140,612.
About the Bellevue Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,260 | $34.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,676 | $47.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $124,588 | $59.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $152,636 | $73.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $186,863 | $89.84 |
Median Salary Position
11.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellevue
In Bellevue, NE, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,603 (2026 est.). At $124,588, the local median is 11.4% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bellevue: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bellevue Optometrist Pay Compares
Bellevue median: $124,588/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellevue Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $128,706 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -11.40% less |
Optometrists in Bellevue, NE earn a median of $124,588 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.40% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.20% below the Nebraska state average of $128,706.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellevue has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellevue, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $124,588 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $136,162 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,116
2025 BLS Actual
$121,006
2026 Current Est.
$124,588
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Bellevue (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,116 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,597 | Actual |
| 2021 | $110,134 | Actual |
| 2022 | $111,277 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,833 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,412 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,006 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,588 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $128,276 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellevue metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $102,116 (2019) to $121,006 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $128,276 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,160 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellevue 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) | $72,260 – $99,676 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,676 – $124,588 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $124,588 – $152,636 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $152,636 – $186,863 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Bellevue
In Bellevue, NE, there are currently 15 practicing optometrists contributing to a stable job market. While the local cost of living index sits at 91.5, below the national average, this figure enhances the take-home purchasing power for optometrists in the area. Among the different employers, ophthalmology practices, especially those employing the OD/MD model, tend to offer the most competitive salaries, capitalizing on surgical referral revenue. The disparity in pay reflects various factors, including ownership stakes in practices, involvement in surgical co-management, and whether one works in a retail chain versus private practice. To maximize potential earnings, optometrists in Bellevue might consider residency training in ocular disease, which can offer a pay premium, and actively seek opportunities in models that facilitate surgical co-management revenues.
More salary data for Bellevue, NE:
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 $121,006 for optometristsin the Bellevue 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 Bellevue 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