Optometrist Salary in Las Cruces, NM: $137,139 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Las Cruces, NM earns a median $137,139/year (≈ $65.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Las Cruces's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $145,274 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% above the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the optometrist salary in Las Cruces is projected to be $137,139, reflecting a competitive compensation structure that is slightly below the national average of $140,612. Local optometrists can expect salaries to range from $79,541 at the 10th percentile to as much as $203,244 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the potential for significant income variability based on factors such as practice ownership, experience, and the type of employment. In an evolving job market, many optometrists here are choosing between independent practice ownership, employed positions, or retail chain roles. Each option has its financial implications, with independent practice potentially offering greater income potential due to equity and patient loyalty. As practitioners assess their career paths, the structure of the local market plays a key role in shaping salary expectations.
About the Las Cruces Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,541 | $38.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,816 | $50.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,139 | $65.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,788 | $79.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $203,244 | $97.71 |
Median Salary Position
2.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Las Cruces
In Las Cruces, NM, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $123,703 (2026 est.). At $137,139, the local median is 2.47% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Las Cruces: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Las Cruces Optometrist Pay Compares
Las Cruces median: $137,139/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Las Cruces Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $132,758 | +3.30% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -2.47% less |
Optometrists in Las Cruces, NM earn a median of $137,139 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.47% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.30% above the New Mexico state average of $132,758.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Las Cruces 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.
Las Cruces, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $137,139 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $145,274 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$112,403
2025 BLS Actual
$133,196
2026 Current Est.
$137,139
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Las Cruces (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,403 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,134 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,229 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,487 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,602 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,837 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,196 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,139 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,198 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Las Cruces metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $112,403 (2019) to $133,196 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,198 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,795 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Las Cruces 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) | $79,541 – $104,816 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,816 – $137,139 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,139 – $165,788 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,788 – $203,244 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Las Cruces
The job market in Las Cruces currently employs around 28 optometrists, illustrating a localized demand for eye care professionals in the region. The cost of living index in the area sits at 94.4, indicating a relatively affordable environment that enhances the purchasing power of optometrists compared to national averages. Among the various employment opportunities, private optometry practices and ophthalmology settings often offer the most competitive pay, particularly when practitioners engage in surgical referrals or have residency training in ocular disease. Conversely, retail optical chains tend to provide a more stable, albeit lower salary structure. The distinct pay range reflects factors such as ownership equity, the type of practice, and local competitive dynamics. To maximize earnings in Las Cruces, it would be beneficial for new optometrists to consider residency training, engage in community outreach for patient retention, and possibly seek partnerships or equity positions in established practices.
More salary data for Las Cruces, 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 $133,196 for optometristsin the Las Cruces 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 Las Cruces 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