Optometrist Salary in Buffalo, NY: $170,543 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Buffalo, NY earns a median $170,543/year (≈ $81.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Buffalo's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.8), that paycheck buys what $177,938 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Buffalo, New York, optometrists can expect a median annual salary of $170,543 in 2026, which is significantly higher than the national median of $140,612. This figure represents a range from $109,807 at the 10th percentile to $175,938 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a robust earnings potential within the local market. Data sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that this strong compensation is partly fueled by the growing trend of optometrists collaborating with ophthalmologists in surgical co-management roles. As Buffalo's healthcare landscape evolves, optometrists engaging in these dual-practice environments tend to enhance their revenue streams, ultimately impacting their overall financial outlook in an area where job opportunities are steadily increasing.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $109,807 | $52.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $129,400 | $62.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $170,543 | $81.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $174,064 | $83.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $175,938 | $84.58 |
Median Salary Position
21.29% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buffalo
In Buffalo, NY, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,131 (2026 est.). At $170,543, the local median is 21.29% above the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Buffalo: You'd be in the top 10% of earners
How Buffalo Optometrist Pay Compares
Buffalo median: $170,543/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buffalo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $166,221 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +21.29% more |
Optometrists in Buffalo, NY earn a median of $170,543 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.29% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.60% above the New York state average of $166,221.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buffalo has a cost of living 4.16% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Buffalo, NY has a cost-of-living index of 95.844 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $170,543 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $177,938 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.34% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$121,560
2025 BLS Actual
$165,640
2026 Current Est.
$170,543
2019–2027 Growth
+44.4%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Buffalo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $121,560 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,670 | Actual |
| 2021 | $109,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $139,180 | Actual |
| 2024 | $160,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $165,640 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $170,543 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $175,591 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buffalo metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 36.3% from $121,560 (2019) to $165,640 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $175,591 by 2027 — a total increase of $54,031 (44.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buffalo 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) | $109,807 – $129,400 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $129,400 – $170,543 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $170,543 – $174,064 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $174,064 – $175,938 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Buffalo
The job market for optometrists in Buffalo consists of approximately 160 professionals actively working in the region, allowing for competition and a variety of employment options. Given the cost-of-living index of 95.844, which is below the national average, take-home pay in Buffalo can stretch further, providing a favorable purchasing power for residents. Employment opportunities in private optometry practices, particularly those incorporating the OD/MD model, tend to offer the highest salaries, alongside major retail optical chains. Factors such as practice ownership, surgical revenue share from ophthalmology collaborations, and the nuances of post-acquisition employment from private equity-owned practices contribute to the disparity in pay. For those aiming to maximize their optometrist pay in Buffalo, pursuing additional residency training can provide an edge, especially in fields such as ocular disease, which are increasingly valued in both private and clinical settings.
More salary data for Buffalo, NY:
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 $165,640 for optometristsin the Buffalo 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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