Optometrist Salary in Manchester, NH: $128,154 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Manchester, NH earns a median $128,154/year (≈ $61.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Manchester's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 105.7), that paycheck buys what $121,292 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.1% below the New Hampshire state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Manchester, NH, the optometrist salary is projected to reach a median of $128,154 in 2026, underscoring how surgical co-management revenue through the OD/MD model can enhance overall compensation for practitioners in the area. Salary ranges vary significantly, with the lowest 10% earning approximately $79,413 and the highest 90% making up to $168,772. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, indicate a strong potential for income growth as the optometry field continues to evolve. With the job market catering to approximately 100 optometrists, professionals in Manchester can benefit from the increasing demand for eye care services across the state.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,413 | $38.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $128,154 | $61.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,154 | $61.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $134,342 | $64.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $168,772 | $81.14 |
Median Salary Position
8.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Manchester
In Manchester, NH, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $89,359 (2026 est.). At $128,154, the local median is 8.86% below the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Manchester: You'd be above the median
How Manchester Optometrist Pay Compares
Manchester median: $128,154/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Manchester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $150,947 | -15.10% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -8.86% less |
Optometrists in Manchester, NH earn a median of $128,154 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.86% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 15.10% below the New Hampshire state average of $150,947.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Manchester has a cost of living 5.66% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Manchester, NH has a cost-of-living index of 105.657 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $128,154 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $121,292 — a 5.35% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$144,150
2025 BLS Actual
$124,470
2026 Current Est.
$128,154
2019–2027 Growth
+-8.5%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Manchester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $144,150 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,591 | Actual |
| 2021 | $113,287 | Actual |
| 2022 | $149,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $134,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,470 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,154 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,948 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Manchester metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew -13.7% from $144,150 (2019) to $124,470 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,948 by 2027 — a total increase of $-12,202 (-8.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Manchester 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) | $79,413 – $128,154 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $128,154 – $128,154 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,154 – $134,342 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $134,342 – $168,772 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Manchester
The local job market remains robust, yet the cost of living index in Manchester sits at 105.657, indicating that living expenses are above the national average. This reality affects take-home purchasing power and necessitates strategic income planning for optometrists. Larger employers such as ophthalmology practices that utilize the OD/MD model typically offer the highest salaries, largely due to revenue sharing from surgical referrals. Factors that influence wage disparities include practice ownership opportunities, employment structures between retail chains and private practices, and potential earnings tied to residency training in ocular disease. Optometrists seeking to maximize their pay in this market should consider gaining experience in specialty areas or partnering with larger health care institutions, where the potential for higher compensation through collaborative practices can be significant.
More salary data for Manchester, NH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Manchester?
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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 $124,470 for optometristsin the Manchester 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, 5-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