Optometrist Salary in Scottsbluff, NE: $123,472 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Scottsbluff, NE earns a median $123,472/year (≈ $59.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Scottsbluff's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $134,942 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Scottsbluff, NE, the optometrist salary for 2026 is projected at $123,472, indicating a competitive pay scale, especially when weighed against the national median of $140,612. The salary range spans from $71,614 at the lower end (P10) to $168,173 at the upper end (P90), highlighting significant earning potential depending on various practice settings. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for local cost of living, reflect a market where practice ownership or employment with private practices can lead to higher compensation compared to retail chains. As more optometrists in Scottsbluff consider their professional trajectory, the choice between private practice and retail optometry continues to shape the local job market.
About the Scottsbluff Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,614 | $34.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,640 | $50.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $123,472 | $59.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $143,006 | $68.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $168,173 | $80.85 |
Median Salary Position
12.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Scottsbluff
In Scottsbluff, NE, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $96,559 (2026 est.). At $123,472, the local median is 12.19% below the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Scottsbluff: You'd be above the median
How Scottsbluff Optometrist Pay Compares
Scottsbluff median: $123,472/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Scottsbluff Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $128,616 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -12.19% less |
Optometrists in Scottsbluff, NE earn a median of $123,472 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.19% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.00% below the Nebraska state average of $128,616.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Scottsbluff 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.
Scottsbluff, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $123,472 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,942 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,201
2025 BLS Actual
$119,922
2026 Current Est.
$123,472
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Scottsbluff (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,201 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,660 | Actual |
| 2021 | $109,148 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $115,786 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,396 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,922 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $123,472 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $127,126 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Scottsbluff metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $101,201 (2019) to $119,922 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $127,126 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,925 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Scottsbluff 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) | $71,614 – $105,640 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,640 – $123,472 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $123,472 – $143,006 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $143,006 – $168,173 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Scottsbluff
The demand for optometrists in Scottsbluff is supported by the employment of four practitioners in the area, a number that suggests a manageable job market. With a cost-of-living index of 91.5, the local economy is slightly below the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of optometrists’ salaries. Among various employers, private practices and ophthalmology partnerships tend to offer the highest compensation, particularly for those with advanced residency training or who work alongside ophthalmologists in surgical settings. This variation in pay is influenced by factors such as practice ownership equity and the evolving nature of optometry, which increasingly accommodates a range of services including glaucoma management and other advanced care. To maximize earning potential, optometrists in Scottsbluff should consider opportunities in collaborative practices that offer diverse services and explore options for specialty training to enhance their marketability.
More salary data for Scottsbluff, 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 $119,922 for optometristsin the Scottsbluff 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 Scottsbluff 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