Optometrist Salary in Keene, NH: $144,554 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Keene, NH earns a median $144,554/year (≈ $69.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Keene's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $134,719 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the New Hampshire state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Keene, New Hampshire, anticipate a median annual salary of $144,554 for 2026, which represents a slight enhancement compared to the national average of $140,612. The salaries in this area span from $83,841 at the lower end to $201,388 for those in higher-paying roles. These figures are estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted to account for local economic conditions. The job market in Keene reflects a mix of practice ownership, employed associates, and retail chain positions, influencing overall compensation structures. These employment types require unique strategies for financial success, providing opportunities for optometrists to tailor their career paths to meet personal financial goals.
About the Keene Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($140,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,841 | $40.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $117,695 | $56.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $144,554 | $69.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $170,208 | $81.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $201,388 | $96.82 |
Median Salary Position
2.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Keene
In Keene, NH, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $117,547 (2026 est.). At $144,554, the local median is 2.8% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Keene: You'd be above the median
How Keene Optometrist Pay Compares
Keene median: $144,554/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Keene Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $150,891 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +2.80% more |
Optometrists in Keene, NH earn a median of $144,554 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.80% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 4.20% below the New Hampshire state average of $150,891.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Keene has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Keene, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $144,554 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $134,719 — a 6.8% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$118,480
2025 BLS Actual
$140,398
2026 Current Est.
$144,554
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Keene (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $118,480 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,359 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,784 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,110 | Actual |
| 2023 | $135,556 | Actual |
| 2024 | $143,924 | Actual |
| 2025 | $140,398 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $144,554 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $148,833 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Keene metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $118,480 (2019) to $140,398 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $148,833 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,353 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Keene 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) | $83,841 – $117,695 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $117,695 – $144,554 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $144,554 – $170,208 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $170,208 – $201,388 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Keene
The local job market remains stable, with only five optometrists currently practicing in Keene. This relatively small cohort indicates a potential for growth within the field, especially as the region's cost of living index is slightly above the national average at 107.3, affecting take-home pay. Pay scales vary significantly across different employers in the area; private practices often offer higher compensation than retail chains such as LensCrafters or Walmart Vision. Factors driving this pay gap include practice ownership equity, the transition of some private practices to private equity ownership, and the nuances of working in OD/MD models, which can yield additional surgical revenue. To maximize earnings, new optometrists should consider pursuing residency training, particularly in ocular disease or VA pathways, and actively seek opportunities to join well-established practices in Keene or explore innovative compensation models within emerging health systems.
More salary data for Keene, NH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Keene?
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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 $140,398 for optometristsin the Keene 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 Keene 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