Optometrist Salary in Glens Falls, NY: $158,089 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Glens Falls, NY earns a median $158,089/year (≈ $76.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Glens Falls's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $136,401 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Optometrists in Glens Falls, NY, may anticipate a median annual salary of $158,089 in 2026, illustrating a competitive pay scale compared to the national median of $140,612. With salaries ranging from $91,692 at the 10th percentile to $212,612 at the 90th percentile, the variance in earnings underscores the potential for added income through surgical co-management within the OD/MD model, which is becoming increasingly implemented in the local healthcare landscape. These salary estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional living costs, reflect an engaging market for optometrists contemplating careers in Glens Falls, particularly as the demand for comprehensive vision care continues to expand.
About the Glens Falls Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($150,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $91,692 | $44.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $127,260 | $61.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $158,089 | $76.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $181,423 | $87.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $212,612 | $102.22 |
Median Salary Position
12.43% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Glens Falls
In Glens Falls, NY, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $120,920 (2026 est.). At $158,089, the local median is 12.43% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Glens Falls: You'd be above the median
How Glens Falls Optometrist Pay Compares
Glens Falls median: $158,089/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Glens Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $166,234 | -4.90% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +12.43% more |
Optometrists in Glens Falls, NY earn a median of $158,089 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.43% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 4.90% below the New York state average of $166,234.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Glens Falls has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Glens Falls, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $158,089 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $136,401 — a 13.72% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$129,574
2025 BLS Actual
$153,544
2026 Current Est.
$158,089
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Glens Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $129,574 | Actual |
| 2020 | $132,722 | Actual |
| 2021 | $139,749 | Actual |
| 2022 | $141,199 | Actual |
| 2023 | $148,249 | Actual |
| 2024 | $165,347 | Actual |
| 2025 | $153,544 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $158,089 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $162,768 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Glens Falls metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $129,574 (2019) to $153,544 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $162,768 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,194 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Glens Falls 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) | $91,692 – $127,260 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $127,260 – $158,089 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $158,089 – $181,423 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $181,423 – $212,612 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Glens Falls
In this local job market, only four optometrists are currently employed, indicating a high demand relative to the number of practitioners. The cost of living index stands at 115.9, highlighting that while salaries may appear favorable, the purchasing power could be impacted by higher living expenses. Among various employers, private optometry practices, particularly those integrating surgical expertise, typically offer the highest pay—especially for residency-trained candidates specializing in ocular disease. In contrast, retail chains may lean towards more modest compensation structures. The disparity in pay also reflects the varied circumstances of practice ownership, with equity stakes often providing substantial financial returns alongside patient care. To maximize earnings in Glens Falls, optometrists may benefit from pursuing advanced residency training, building relationships within the community, and exploring opportunities within ophthalmology practices that can enhance their income potential through shared revenue channels.
More salary data for Glens Falls, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Glens Falls, NY in 2026?
Is Glens Falls, NY a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Glens Falls?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Glens Falls?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Glens Falls?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New York
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 $153,544 for optometristsin the Glens Falls 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 Glens Falls 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