Optometrist Salary in South Valley, NM: $128,545 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in South Valley, NM earns a median $128,545/year (≈ $61.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in South Valley's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $136,171 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In South Valley, NM, the projected median annual salary for optometrists in 2026 is $128,545, reflecting a competitive market despite a national median of $140,612. With salaries ranging from $74,555 at the 10th percentile to a maximum of $187,194 at the 90th percentile, local optometrists have varied earning potentials depending on their employment structure. Many professionals in this area operate private practices or are employed by larger retail chains, which can influence their overall take-home pay significantly. As the job market stabilizes with only six optometrists currently employed locally, the choices between ownership or positions in retail chains can dictate not just earnings but also professional satisfaction and growth opportunities.
About the South Valley Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,555 | $35.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,590 | $51.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,545 | $61.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $155,601 | $74.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $187,194 | $90.00 |
Median Salary Position
8.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Valley
In South Valley, NM, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $112,639 (2026 est.). At $128,545, the local median is 8.58% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Valley: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How South Valley Optometrist Pay Compares
South Valley median: $128,545/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Valley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $132,794 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -8.58% less |
Optometrists in South Valley, NM earn a median of $128,545 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.58% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.20% below the New Mexico state average of $132,794.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Valley 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.
South Valley, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $128,545 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $136,171 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$105,359
2025 BLS Actual
$124,849
2026 Current Est.
$128,545
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in South Valley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,359 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,918 | Actual |
| 2021 | $113,632 | Actual |
| 2022 | $114,811 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,543 | Actual |
| 2024 | $117,015 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,849 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,545 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,349 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Valley metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $105,359 (2019) to $124,849 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,349 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,990 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Valley 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) | $74,555 – $107,590 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,590 – $128,545 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,545 – $155,601 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $155,601 – $187,194 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in South Valley
The local job market for optometrists in South Valley remains relatively small but steady, presenting both challenges and advantages. With a cost-of-living index of 94.4, local optometrist pay offers reasonable purchasing power, though it is essential for practitioners to consider different employment avenues. Private practices generally offer higher compensation through equity considerations, especially when partnered with ophthalmologists under an OD/MD model. Retail chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision may provide less pay but often come with more predictable hours and benefits. Moreover, optometrists with residency training focusing on ocular disease or with ties to VA medical centers may find better opportunities within certain practice settings. To maximize earnings in South Valley, it is advisable for practitioners to seek roles that align with their training and consider the potential financial advantages of practice ownership or specialized care offerings in a growing market.
More salary data for South Valley, 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 $124,849 for optometristsin the South Valley 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 South Valley 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