Optometrist Salary in Valley Stream, NY: $161,329 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Valley Stream, NY earns a median $161,329/year (≈ $77.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Valley Stream's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $139,197 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Valley Stream, NY, the 2026 median annual pay for optometrists is projected at $161,329, significantly higher than the national median of $140,612, reflecting a 14.73% advantage. The range of salaries within the area spans from $93,571 at the 10th percentile to a robust $236,038 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse market that rewards experience and specialization. This generous compensation is influenced by the expanded scope of practice in the state, which includes the management of glaucoma and the ability to prescribe oral medications, practices that enhance both the quality of care and the potential earning power for optometrists. With current estimates sourced from BLS state-level data, it's clear that Valley Stream presents a competitive landscape for optometry professionals, bolstered by high demand for comprehensive eye care.
About the Valley Stream Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($150,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $93,571 | $44.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $135,471 | $65.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $161,329 | $77.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $195,471 | $93.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $236,038 | $113.48 |
Median Salary Position
14.73% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Valley Stream
In Valley Stream, NY, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $142,467 (2026 est.). At $161,329, the local median is 14.73% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Valley Stream: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Valley Stream Optometrist Pay Compares
Valley Stream median: $161,329/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Valley Stream Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $166,147 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | +14.73% more |
Optometrists in Valley Stream, NY earn a median of $161,329 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.73% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 2.90% below the New York state average of $166,147.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Valley Stream has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Valley Stream, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $161,329 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $139,197 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$132,230
2025 BLS Actual
$156,691
2026 Current Est.
$161,329
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Valley Stream (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $132,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $135,442 | Actual |
| 2021 | $142,613 | Actual |
| 2022 | $144,093 | Actual |
| 2023 | $151,287 | Actual |
| 2024 | $168,736 | Actual |
| 2025 | $156,691 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $161,329 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $166,104 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Valley Stream metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $132,230 (2019) to $156,691 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $166,104 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,874 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Valley Stream 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) | $93,571 – $135,471 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $135,471 – $161,329 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $161,329 – $195,471 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $195,471 – $236,038 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Valley Stream
In evaluating the job market for optometrists in Valley Stream, it's interesting to note the employment level is relatively modest, with just 10 optometrists working in the area. The higher-than-average cost of living, reflected in a cost of living index of 115.9, can impact take-home pay, making it crucial for practitioners to consider their compensation packages carefully. Employers such as private optometry practices with ownership opportunities or ophthalmology practices offering OD/MD collaboration may yield higher earnings compared to retail chains. The wide salary range could be attributed to factors such as ownership equity and differing employment models, including positions with private equity-owned practices that often come with distinct employment terms. For ambitious optometrists aiming to maximize earnings in Valley Stream, pursuing additional residency training in ocular disease and aligning with practice settings that emphasize collaborative care could be effective strategies to enhance their financial prospects.
More salary data for Valley Stream, 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 $156,691 for optometristsin the Valley Stream 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 Valley Stream 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