Optometrist Salary in Fremont, NE: $124,846 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Fremont, NE earns a median $124,846/year (≈ $60.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Fremont's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $136,444 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Fremont, Nebraska, can expect a median annual salary of $124,846 in 2026, reflecting the growing demand for eye care services in the region. With a salary range spanning from $72,411 at the 10th percentile to $182,603 at the 90th percentile, earning potential varies significantly based on experience, practice setting, and specialization. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic factors, are crucial for understanding the employment landscape. In Fremont, the increasing involvement of optometrists in collaborative care models with ophthalmologists can enhance revenue through surgical co-management, further driving compensation.
About the Fremont Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,411 | $34.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,024 | $49.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $124,846 | $60.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $151,232 | $72.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $182,603 | $87.79 |
Median Salary Position
11.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fremont
In Fremont, NE, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $110,192 (2026 est.). At $124,846, the local median is 11.21% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fremont: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fremont Optometrist Pay Compares
Fremont median: $124,846/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fremont Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $128,707 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -11.21% less |
Optometrists in Fremont, NE earn a median of $124,846 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.21% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.00% below the Nebraska state average of $128,707.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fremont 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.
Fremont, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $124,846 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $136,444 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,328
2025 BLS Actual
$121,257
2026 Current Est.
$124,846
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Fremont (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,328 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,814 | Actual |
| 2021 | $110,363 | Actual |
| 2022 | $111,508 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,075 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,647 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,257 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,846 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $128,542 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fremont metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $102,328 (2019) to $121,257 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $128,542 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,214 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fremont 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) | $72,411 – $102,024 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,024 – $124,846 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $124,846 – $151,232 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $151,232 – $182,603 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Fremont
In terms of local employment conditions, Fremont currently has four optometrists, indicating a relatively small but stable job market for this profession. The cost of living index stands at 91.5, suggesting that while salaries may be slightly lower than the national average, the affordable living situation means that take-home pay can stretch further. Employers such as private optometry practices may offer the highest compensation, particularly for those who manage their own practices or work in a lucrative OD/MD model. The wide pay disparity can be attributed to various factors, including practice ownership stakes, the availability of surgical revenue streams, and differences in residency training. Optometrists in Fremont can maximize their salary by focusing on building a strong referral network with local ophthalmologists, advancing their education through residencies, and considering positions in practices that offer surgery co-management opportunities.
More salary data for Fremont, 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 $121,257 for optometristsin the Fremont 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 Fremont 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