Optometrist Salary in Reno, NV: $145,410 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Reno, NV earns a median $145,410/year (≈ $69.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Reno's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.0), that paycheck buys what $143,950 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% above the Nevada state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Reno, Nevada, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $145,410, surpassing the national figure of $140,612 by 3.41%. The salary range for optometrists extends from $102,486 at the 10th percentile to $186,893 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, reflects the growing demand for ocular care in an evolving health landscape. Furthermore, the potential for increased earnings comes in part from participation in surgical co-management with ophthalmologists, an area that captures additional revenue opportunities, enhancing overall compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $102,486 | $49.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $139,820 | $67.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $145,410 | $69.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $186,893 | $89.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $186,893 | $89.85 |
Median Salary Position
3.41% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Reno
In Reno, NV, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $84,407 (2026 est.). At $145,410, the local median is 3.41% above the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Reno: You'd be above the median
How Reno Optometrist Pay Compares
Reno median: $145,410/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Reno Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada Average | $138,223 | +5.20% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +3.41% more |
Optometrists in Reno, NV earn a median of $145,410 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.41% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 5.20% above the Nevada state average of $138,223.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Reno has a cost of living 1.01% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Reno, NV has a cost-of-living index of 101.014 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $145,410 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $143,950 — a 1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$119,183
2025 BLS Actual
$141,230
2026 Current Est.
$145,410
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Reno (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,183 | Actual |
| 2020 | $132,860 | Actual |
| 2021 | $129,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,850 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,180 | Actual |
| 2024 | $165,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $145,410 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $149,715 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Reno metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $119,183 (2019) to $141,230 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $149,715 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,532 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Reno 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) | $102,486 – $139,820 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $139,820 – $145,410 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $145,410 – $186,893 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $186,893 – $186,893 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Reno
Reno's local job market features approximately 80 optometrists, with a cost of living index of 101.014, indicating that while the purchasing power may be slightly above the national average, it still requires careful budgeting for professionals in the field. Among the employers in the area, ophthalmology practices, particularly those integrating the OD/MD model for surgical co-management, tend to offer the most competitive compensation. Factors driving the variation in optometrist pay in Reno include the opportunities for equity in private practice, the impact of residency training on salary expectations, and the transition of independent practices into private equity ownership. For those looking to maximize earnings, specializing in ocular disease or aligning with practices that prioritize surgical revenue sharing can significantly enhance financial prospects in this market.
More salary data for Reno, NV:
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 $141,230 for optometristsin the Reno 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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