Optometrist Salary in Rio Rancho, NM: $136,624 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Rio Rancho, NM earns a median $136,624/year (≈ $65.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Rio Rancho's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $144,729 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% above the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Rio Rancho, NM can anticipate a median annual salary of $136,624 in 2026, reflecting the area's competitive compensation amid a well-defined scope of practice that includes managing glaucoma, prescribing oral medications, and performing certain laser procedures. Salary estimates indicate a wide range, with earnings from $79,242 at the lower 10th percentile to $206,495 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, illustrate the diverse opportunities available to professionals in the field. This promising salary outlook is influenced by the growing demand for optometric care and the evolving practice environment in and around Rio Rancho.
About the Rio Rancho Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,242 | $38.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,761 | $51.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,624 | $65.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,551 | $80.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $206,495 | $99.27 |
Median Salary Position
2.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rio Rancho
In Rio Rancho, NM, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $127,253 (2026 est.). At $136,624, the local median is 2.84% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rio Rancho: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rio Rancho Optometrist Pay Compares
Rio Rancho median: $136,624/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rio Rancho Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $132,773 | +2.90% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -2.84% less |
Optometrists in Rio Rancho, NM earn a median of $136,624 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.84% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.90% above the New Mexico state average of $132,773.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rio Rancho 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.
Rio Rancho, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $136,624 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,729 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,981
2025 BLS Actual
$132,696
2026 Current Est.
$136,624
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Rio Rancho (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,981 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,701 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,774 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,027 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,369 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,696 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,624 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,668 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rio Rancho metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $111,981 (2019) to $132,696 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,668 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,687 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rio Rancho 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) | $79,242 – $106,761 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,761 – $136,624 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,624 – $167,551 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,551 – $206,495 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Rio Rancho
The local job market shows a stable employment presence with 16 optometrists currently practicing in Rio Rancho. With a cost of living index at 94.4, professionals here enjoy stronger purchasing power compared to many larger markets, although this figure indicates a need for careful financial planning. Among potential employers, private practices often lead in compensation opportunities, particularly for those with specialty training such as ocular disease or experience in OD/MD models that can provide surgical referral revenue. Variations in pay reflect factors like practice ownership stakes, retail chain pay structures, and the terms that result from recent acquisitions by private equity firms. To maximize pay in the local market, optometrists should consider furthering their skills through residency training, engaging in networking within the industry, and exploring roles that allow for diverse practice experiences.
More salary data for Rio Rancho, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Rio Rancho, NM in 2026?
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Can optometrists make $100K in Rio Rancho?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Rio Rancho?
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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 $132,696 for optometristsin the Rio Rancho 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 Rio Rancho 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