Optometrist Salary in Deming, NM: $123,851 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Deming, NM earns a median $123,851/year (≈ $59.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Deming's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $131,198 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.7% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected optometrist salary in Deming, New Mexico, stands at $123,851, reflecting a local market influenced by various practice ownership models. The salary range for optometrists in the area spans from $75,883 at the 10th percentile to $173,737 at the 90th percentile, indicating a significant variation in earnings based on factors like practice type and ownership. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity suggest that the earnings here lag behind the national median of $140,612 by nearly 12%. This discrepancy may prompt some optometrists in Deming to explore diverse work environments, evaluating options between private practice ownership, retail optical chains, or integrated models with ophthalmology.
About the Deming Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,883 | $36.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,419 | $50.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $123,851 | $59.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146,569 | $70.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $173,737 | $83.53 |
Median Salary Position
11.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Deming
In Deming, NM, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $97,854 (2026 est.). At $123,851, the local median is 11.92% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Deming: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Deming Optometrist Pay Compares
Deming median: $123,851/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Deming Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $132,744 | -6.70% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -11.92% less |
Optometrists in Deming, NM earn a median of $123,851 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.92% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 6.70% below the New Mexico state average of $132,744.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Deming has a cost of living 5.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Deming, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $123,851 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $131,198 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,511
2025 BLS Actual
$120,290
2026 Current Est.
$123,851
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Deming (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,511 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,978 | Actual |
| 2021 | $109,483 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,619 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,141 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,742 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,290 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $123,851 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $127,517 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Deming metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $101,511 (2019) to $120,290 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $127,517 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,006 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Deming 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) | $75,883 – $104,419 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,419 – $123,851 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $123,851 – $146,569 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $146,569 – $173,737 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Deming
The job market for optometrists in Deming currently employs only four practitioners, which means opportunities may be relatively limited. However, with a cost-of-living index of 94.4, the purchasing power in Deming allows for a competitive lifestyle when compared to other regions. Retail chains such as Walmart Vision and LensCrafters generally offer the most substantial pay, while private practices may provide less initially but enable ownership benefits and patient equity in the long term. Factors influencing the salary spread include the alignment of residency training, particularly in ocular disease, and variations in clinical practice settings. Optometrists aiming to maximize their pay should consider options such as joining a practice with an existing patient base, seeking additional training in high-demand specialties, or considering positions within integrated healthcare models that leverage surgical referrals.
More salary data for Deming, NM:
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 $120,290 for optometristsin the Deming 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 Deming 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