Optometrist Salary in Hempstead, NY: $160,482 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Hempstead, NY earns a median $160,482/year (≈ $77.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Hempstead's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $138,466 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hempstead, NY, optometrists are projected to earn a median annual salary of $160,482 in 2026, which is notably 14.13% higher than the national median of $140,612. This salary reflects a broad range that spans from $93,079 at the 10th percentile to $239,774 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the variability in earnings within the profession. These numbers are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price levels, and they take into account the potential for enhanced income through participation in OD/MD model surgical co-management arrangements. As such, those who engage in collaborative care with ophthalmologists can significantly boost their revenue, making the local job market attractive for both new graduates and seasoned practitioners alike.
About the Hempstead Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($150,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $93,079 | $44.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $127,838 | $61.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $160,482 | $77.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $196,056 | $94.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $239,774 | $115.27 |
Median Salary Position
14.13% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hempstead
In Hempstead, NY, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $146,695 (2026 est.). At $160,482, the local median is 14.13% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hempstead: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hempstead Optometrist Pay Compares
Hempstead median: $160,482/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hempstead Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $166,302 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +14.13% more |
Optometrists in Hempstead, NY earn a median of $160,482 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.13% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 3.50% below the New York state average of $166,302.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hempstead has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hempstead, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $160,482 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $138,466 — 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
$131,535
2025 BLS Actual
$155,868
2026 Current Est.
$160,482
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Hempstead (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $131,535 | Actual |
| 2020 | $134,731 | Actual |
| 2021 | $141,864 | Actual |
| 2022 | $143,336 | Actual |
| 2023 | $150,492 | Actual |
| 2024 | $167,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $155,868 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $160,482 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $165,232 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hempstead metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $131,535 (2019) to $155,868 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $165,232 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,697 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hempstead 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) | $93,079 – $127,838 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $127,838 – $160,482 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $160,482 – $196,056 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $196,056 – $239,774 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Hempstead
The local optometry job market in Hempstead is relatively small, with only nine optometrists currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living index of 115.9 indicates that living expenses are above the national average, which can impact take-home pay for practitioners. Among the various employer types, ophthalmology practices often offer the highest compensation, especially for those working within an OD/MD model, due to shared surgical revenue opportunities. The disparity in pay between optometrists can often be attributed to factors such as practice ownership equity and the differences in revenue potential between private practices and retail chains. To maximize earning potential in Hempstead, optometrists may consider further enhancing their skill sets through residency training in ocular disease or exploring employment with organizations that have a more lucrative financial structure, particularly those that complement their surgical co-management capabilities.
More salary data for Hempstead, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Hempstead, NY in 2026?
Is Hempstead, NY a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Hempstead?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Hempstead?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Hempstead?
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 $155,868 for optometristsin the Hempstead 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 Hempstead 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