Optometrist Salary in Oswego, NY: $155,890 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Oswego, NY earns a median $155,890/year (≈ $74.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Oswego's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $134,504 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.2% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oswego, NY, optometrists can expect a median annual salary of $155,890 in 2026, reflecting a competitive position in the state's healthcare landscape. Particularly significant is the wide salary range, which stretches from $96,871 at the tenth percentile to as high as $220,181 at the ninetieth percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, position Oswego's compensation above the national median of $140,612 by a notable 10.87%. Given the state's expanded scope of practice—including glaucoma management, oral medications, and laser procedures—there may be opportunities for higher earnings, especially among those with advanced training. With only five optometrists currently employed in the region, the job market appears limited yet accessible for qualified candidates looking to establish themselves in this area.
About the Oswego Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($150,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $96,871 | $46.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $128,900 | $61.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $155,890 | $74.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $185,413 | $89.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $220,181 | $105.85 |
Median Salary Position
10.87% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oswego
In Oswego, NY, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $123,310 (2026 est.). At $155,890, the local median is 10.87% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oswego: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oswego Optometrist Pay Compares
Oswego median: $155,890/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oswego Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $166,194 | -6.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +10.87% more |
Optometrists in Oswego, NY earn a median of $155,890 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.87% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 6.20% below the New York state average of $166,194.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oswego has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oswego, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $155,890 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $134,504 — 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
$127,772
2025 BLS Actual
$151,408
2026 Current Est.
$155,890
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Oswego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $127,772 | Actual |
| 2020 | $130,876 | Actual |
| 2021 | $137,805 | Actual |
| 2022 | $139,235 | Actual |
| 2023 | $146,186 | Actual |
| 2024 | $163,046 | Actual |
| 2025 | $151,408 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $155,890 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $160,504 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oswego metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $127,772 (2019) to $151,408 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $160,504 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,732 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oswego 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) | $96,871 – $128,900 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $128,900 – $155,890 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $155,890 – $185,413 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $185,413 – $220,181 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Oswego
Despite the promising salary figures, the cost of living in Oswego, indexed at 115.9, presents a reality that impacts take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, private optometry practices often provide higher compensation compared to retail optical chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision; this is particularly true for those who have secured equity in their practices or operate under the OD/MD model. Additionally, candidates with residency training, especially in ocular disease or those who have pursued a VA pathway, tend to command higher salaries due to their specialized skills. The disparity in pay among optometrists in Oswego results from several factors, including practice ownership, the nature of their employers, and their affiliations with insurance providers. For new graduates or practicing optometrists aiming to maximize their income, aligning with growth organizations or considering practice acquisition could be effective strategies to enhance their earning potential.
More salary data for Oswego, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Oswego, NY in 2026?
Is Oswego, NY a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Oswego?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Oswego?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Oswego?
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 $151,408 for optometristsin the Oswego 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 Oswego 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