Optometrist Salary in Los Alamos, NM: $122,343 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Los Alamos, NM earns a median $122,343/year (≈ $58.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Los Alamos's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $129,601 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.8% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Los Alamos, NM, can expect a median annual salary of $122,343 in 2026, a reflection of the local market that includes surgical co-management revenue through the OD/MD model. The salary range extends from $72,443 at the 10th percentile to as high as $173,039 for those in the 90th percentile, indicating a substantial variance in earnings based on experience and practice type. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions, and reveal a competitive but slightly lower pay scale compared to the national median of $140,612. This discrepancy suggests that while the Los Alamos region offers opportunities for optometry professionals, there remains potential for growth in compensation as the field continues to evolve.
About the Los Alamos Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,443 | $34.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,319 | $48.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $122,343 | $58.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $145,662 | $70.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $173,039 | $83.19 |
Median Salary Position
12.99% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Alamos
In Los Alamos, NM, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $100,596 (2026 est.). At $122,343, the local median is 12.99% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Los Alamos: You'd be above the median
How Los Alamos Optometrist Pay Compares
Los Alamos median: $122,343/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Alamos Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $132,693 | -7.80% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -12.99% less |
Optometrists in Los Alamos, NM earn a median of $122,343 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.99% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 7.80% below the New Mexico state average of $132,693.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Alamos 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.
Los Alamos, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $122,343 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $129,601 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,276
2025 BLS Actual
$118,826
2026 Current Est.
$122,343
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Los Alamos (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,276 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,712 | Actual |
| 2021 | $108,150 | Actual |
| 2022 | $109,273 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,728 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,370 | Actual |
| 2025 | $118,826 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $122,343 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $125,965 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Alamos metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $100,276 (2019) to $118,826 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $125,965 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,689 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Alamos 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) | $72,443 – $101,319 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,319 – $122,343 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $122,343 – $145,662 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $145,662 – $173,039 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Los Alamos
With only six optometrists currently practicing in Los Alamos, the local job market demonstrates stability yet has room for expansion. The cost of living index sits at 94.4, which is below the national average, allowing for relatively favorable purchasing power for optometrists in the area. Those seeking higher pay may find competitive salaries in private practices that integrate the OD/MD model, retail optical chains, or specialized ophthalmology practices that leverage surgical referral revenue. The spread between the lower and higher wage earners typically results from various factors, including differences in ownership models, training backgrounds—such as residency completion in ocular disease—and contractual terms following private equity acquisitions. To enhance earnings, optometrists can consider pursuing additional qualifications, specializing in areas with higher demand, or seeking partnerships in clinics that offer a more lucrative revenue-sharing structure.
More salary data for Los Alamos, 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 $118,826 for optometristsin the Los Alamos 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 Los Alamos 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