Optometrist Salary in Cortland, NY: $153,052 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Cortland, NY earns a median $153,052/year (≈ $73.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Cortland's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $132,055 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.9% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $153,052 in 2026, optometrists in Cortland, NY, are positioned well above the national average. The local salary range spans from $91,043 at the 10th percentile to as high as $210,949 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a robust earning potential shaped by New York's expanding scope of practice that includes glaucoma management, oral medications, and laser procedures. These projections represent adjusted estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments. Given this wage context, Cortland's job market offers opportunities for optometrists looking to enhance both their practice and their financial bottom line.
About the Cortland Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($150,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $91,043 | $43.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $126,569 | $60.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $153,052 | $73.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $182,053 | $87.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $210,949 | $101.42 |
Median Salary Position
8.85% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cortland
In Cortland, NY, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $119,906 (2026 est.). At $153,052, the local median is 8.85% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cortland: You'd be above the median
How Cortland Optometrist Pay Compares
Cortland median: $153,052/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cortland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $166,180 | -7.90% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +8.85% more |
Optometrists in Cortland, NY earn a median of $153,052 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.85% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 7.90% below the New York state average of $166,180.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cortland has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cortland, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $153,052 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $132,055 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$125,446
2025 BLS Actual
$148,652
2026 Current Est.
$153,052
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Cortland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $125,446 | Actual |
| 2020 | $128,494 | Actual |
| 2021 | $135,297 | Actual |
| 2022 | $136,701 | Actual |
| 2023 | $143,525 | Actual |
| 2024 | $160,079 | Actual |
| 2025 | $148,652 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $153,052 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $157,582 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cortland metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $125,446 (2019) to $148,652 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $157,582 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,136 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cortland 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) | $91,043 – $126,569 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $126,569 – $153,052 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $153,052 – $182,053 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $182,053 – $210,949 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Cortland
While only four optometrists are currently employed in Cortland, the market reflects a diverse landscape of potential employers. Given the cost of living index at 115.9, optometrists must consider their take-home purchasing power carefully, especially when assessing compensation packages. In this competitive environment, private optometry practices and ophthalmology collaborations tend to offer the highest salaries, while retail chains might provide a steadier income but at lower rates. Factors like practice ownership, whether in a private or corporate model, significantly influence the salary spectrum, with ownership often leading to greater financial rewards. For optometrists seeking to maximize their pay in Cortland, pursuing advanced residency training, opting for a collaborative model with ophthalmologists, or considering private practice routes could boost financial competitiveness significantly.
More salary data for Cortland, 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 $148,652 for optometristsin the Cortland 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 Cortland 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