Optometrist Salary in New Mexico: $143,656 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New Mexico's 17 metropolitan areas, the average median optometrist pay sits at $143,656/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1041. Because New Mexico sits at BEA RPP 94.4 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $152,178 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Albuquerque ($165,810), Las Cruces ($133,196), Rio Rancho ($132,696).
For those considering a career in optometry in New Mexico, the projected median salary for 2026 stands at $143,656, which is 2.2% higher than the national median of $140,612. The salary landscape varies significantly across cities; Albuquerque offers the highest average income at $170,718, while Taos presents the lowest at $122,114, resulting in a difference of $48,604. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as population density, availability of medical facilities, and local demand for eye care services. In New Mexico, state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws allow optometrists to provide comprehensive eye care, including the authority to prescribe medications. The demand for eye care professionals is driven by an aging population and an increasing prevalence of vision-related conditions. With a projected annual growth rate of 2.96%, the job market for optometrists is on an upward trend, indicating a stable and expanding field. The top five cities in terms of projected salaries for 2026 include Albuquerque at $170,718, Las Cruces at $137,139, Rio Rancho at $136,624, Santa Fe at $134,023, and Farmington at $130,821. These figures reflect both the earning potential in the region and the opportunities available for practitioners in various settings.
New Mexico Optometrist Salary Range
Overall salary range in New Mexico: $63,948 (lowest entry-level) to $215,413 (highest top earner)
New Mexico vs National Average
New Mexico optometrists earn 2.16% more than the national median (+$3,044/year difference).
New Mexico Optometrist Salary Distribution (2026)
Optometrist salaries in New Mexico range from $72,422 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $198,340 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $143,656. The New Mexico median is $3,044 above the US national median of $140,612. The average hourly rate is $69.06/hr. Approximately 218 optometrists are employed across 17 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$108,300
2025 BLS Actual
$139,526
2026 Current Est.
$143,656
2019–2027 Growth
+36.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in New Mexico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,300 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,890 | Actual |
| 2021 | $104,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,309 | Actual |
| 2023 | $155,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,868 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,526 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,656 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,909 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Mexico metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 28.8% from $108,300 (2019) to $139,526 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,909 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,609 (36.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Mexico 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 New Mexico
Lowest Paying Cities in New Mexico
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Taos | $122,114 |
| Los Alamos | $122,343 |
| Los Lunas | $123,372 |
| Las Vegas | $123,391 |
| Gallup | $123,411 |
Best Value Cities for Optometrists in New Mexico
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Mexico cities offer the most purchasing power for optometrists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $170,718 | 95.546 | $178,676 |
| Las Cruces | $137,139 | 94.4 | $145,274 |
| Rio Rancho | $136,624 | 94.4 | $144,729 |
| Santa Fe | $134,023 | 94.4 | $141,974 |
| Farmington | $130,821 | 94.4 | $138,582 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New Mexico
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $72,422 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $143,656 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $198,340 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Mexico metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 17 Cities in New Mexico
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albuquerque | $170,718 |
| 2 | Las Cruces | $137,139 |
| 3 | Rio Rancho | $136,624 |
| 4 | Santa Fe | $134,023 |
| 5 | Farmington | $130,821 |
| 6 | Roswell | $130,214 |
| 7 | Alamogordo | $129,143 |
| 8 | Hobbs | $129,070 |
| 9 | South Valley | $128,545 |
| 10 | Clovis | $126,052 |
| 11 | Carlsbad | $125,856 |
| 12 | Deming | $123,851 |
| 13 | Gallup | $123,411 |
| 14 | Las Vegas | $123,391 |
| 15 | Los Lunas | $123,372 |
| 16 | Los Alamos | $122,343 |
| 17 | Taos | $122,114 |
More New Mexico Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore optometrist hourly pay in New Mexico cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced optometrists.
Explore More Optometrist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in New Mexico in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for optometrists in New Mexico?
How does New Mexico optometrist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level optometrist salary in New Mexico?
How many optometrists are employed in New Mexico?
Which New Mexico 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 New Mexico. State averages are employment-weighted across 17 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, 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