Optometrist Salary in Albuquerque, NM: $170,718 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Albuquerque, NM earns a median $170,718/year (≈ $82.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Albuquerque's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $178,676 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 28.6% above the New Mexico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Albuquerque, NM, optometrists can expect a median annual salary of $170,718 in 2026, reflecting an increase in compensation that aligns with the expanding scope of practice in the state. New Mexico allows optometrists to manage glaucoma, prescribe oral medications, and perform certain laser procedures, potentially driving up salaries within this profession. The salary range for optometrists in Albuquerque varies considerably, from $63,948 at the 10th percentile to $215,413 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the significant disparities in pay across different practice settings and levels of experience. This data is derived from projections based on the 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, indicating a positive outlook for this field within the local job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,948 | $30.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $128,206 | $61.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $170,718 | $82.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $190,239 | $91.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $215,413 | $103.57 |
Median Salary Position
21.41% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Albuquerque
In Albuquerque, NM, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $151,465 (2026 est.). At $170,718, the local median is 21.41% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Albuquerque: You'd be above the median
How Albuquerque Optometrist Pay Compares
Albuquerque median: $170,718/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Albuquerque Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $132,751 | +28.60% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +21.41% more |
Optometrists in Albuquerque, NM earn a median of $170,718 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.41% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 28.60% above the New Mexico state average of $132,751.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Albuquerque has a cost of living 4.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Albuquerque, NM has a cost-of-living index of 95.546 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $170,718 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $178,676 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.66% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$108,300
2025 BLS Actual
$165,810
2026 Current Est.
$170,718
2019–2027 Growth
+62.3%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Albuquerque (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 | $152,479 | Actual |
| 2023 | $155,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $165,050 | Actual |
| 2025 | $165,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $170,718 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $175,771 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Albuquerque metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 53.1% from $108,300 (2019) to $165,810 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $175,771 by 2027 — a total increase of $67,471 (62.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Albuquerque 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) | $63,948 – $128,206 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $128,206 – $170,718 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $170,718 – $190,239 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $190,239 – $215,413 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Albuquerque
Among the 70 optometrists currently practicing in Albuquerque, job opportunities appear stable, bolstered by a comparatively low cost of living index of 95.546. This affordability suggests that optometrists’ take-home pay carries a greater purchasing power than in many other cities. Employment with private optometry practices, particularly those with an OD/MD model, tends to offer higher compensation, as these settings often include surgical referral revenue sharing. As retail optical chains face increasing competition from private equity acquisitions, optometrists may find enhanced pay in private practice environments. To maximize earnings in Albuquerque, seeking advanced residency training—especially in ocular disease—can yield a notable pay premium, positioning one well within this evolving market.
More salary data for Albuquerque, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Albuquerque, NM in 2026?
Is Albuquerque, NM a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Albuquerque?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Albuquerque?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Albuquerque?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Mexico
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 $165,810 for optometristsin the Albuquerque 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