Optometrist Salary in Nevada: $139,674 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Nevada's 9 metropolitan areas, the average median optometrist pay sits at $139,674/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1041. Because Nevada sits at BEA RPP 98.3 (2% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $142,090 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Reno ($141,230), Las Vegas ($135,460), Sparks ($135,444).
In Nevada, the average median salary for optometrists in 2026 is projected to be $139,673, which is slightly below the national median of $140,612, positioning the state at -0.7% compared to national averages. The disparity in salaries across cities is notable; Reno offers the highest average salary at $145,410, while Fernley has the lowest at $127,761, resulting in a salary gap of $17,649. This difference can be attributed to factors such as local demand for services, cost of living, and competition among practices. State-specific factors influencing optometrist salaries include Nevada's licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which generally support a full range of optometric services. Additionally, the job market for optometrists in Nevada is projected to grow at an annual rate of 2.96%, indicating a steady demand for vision care professionals. The top five cities for optometrist salaries in 2026 are Reno at $145,410, Las Vegas at $139,470, Sparks at $139,453, North Las Vegas at $138,884, and Henderson at $138,170. With a total employment base of 565 optometrists statewide, the outlook remains favorable for prospective and current practitioners in the field.
Nevada Optometrist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Nevada: $75,391 (lowest entry-level) to $215,270 (highest top earner)
Nevada vs National Average
Nevada optometrists earn 0.67% less than the national median ($-938/year difference).
Nevada Optometrist Salary Distribution (2026)
Optometrist salaries in Nevada range from $81,228 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $191,363 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $139,674. The Nevada median is $938 below the US national median of $140,612. The average hourly rate is $67.15/hr. Approximately 565 optometrists are employed across 9 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$113,540
2025 BLS Actual
$135,658
2026 Current Est.
$139,674
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Nevada (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,540 | Actual |
| 2020 | $124,085 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,067 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,138 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,380 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,996 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,658 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,674 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,808 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nevada metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 19.5% from $113,540 (2019) to $135,658 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,808 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,268 (26.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nevada 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Nevada
Lowest Paying Cities in Nevada
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fernley | $127,761 |
| Elko | $129,331 |
| Mesquite | $129,986 |
| Carson City | $134,699 |
| Henderson | $138,170 |
Best Value Cities for Optometrists in Nevada
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Nevada cities offer the most purchasing power for optometrists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reno | $145,410 | 101.014 | $143,950 |
| Sparks | $139,453 | 98.3 | $141,865 |
| North Las Vegas | $138,884 | 98.3 | $141,286 |
| Henderson | $138,170 | 98.3 | $140,560 |
| Las Vegas | $139,470 | 100.215 | $139,171 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Nevada
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $81,228 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $139,674 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $191,363 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Nevada metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 9 Cities in Nevada
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reno | $145,410 |
| 2 | Las Vegas | $139,470 |
| 3 | Sparks | $139,453 |
| 4 | North Las Vegas | $138,884 |
| 5 | Henderson | $138,170 |
| 6 | Carson City | $134,699 |
| 7 | Mesquite | $129,986 |
| 8 | Elko | $129,331 |
| 9 | Fernley | $127,761 |
More Nevada Salary Data
Explore More Optometrist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Nevada in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for optometrists in Nevada?
How does Nevada optometrist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level optometrist salary in Nevada?
How many optometrists are employed in Nevada?
Which Nevada city offers the best value for optometrists?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 optometrist compensation across Nevada. State averages are employment-weighted across 9 metro areas — larger metro areas with more optometristscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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